PIERRE, S.D. – Two new South Dakota properties have been included on the National Register of Historic Places, according to the South Dakota State Historical Society. Newly listed properties are the Hermosa Masonic Lodge in Hermosa and the Tucek-Sykora Farmstead near Tripp.

 

The National Register is the official federal list of properties identified as important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. The State Historic Preservation Office of the State Historical Society works in conjunction with the National Park Service, which oversees the National Register program. 

 

"South Dakota's history is rich in American Indian culture, pioneer life and change," said Jay D. Vogt, state historic preservation officer and director of the State Historical Society. "Properties listed on the National Register are important for their role in South Dakota's culture, heritage and history. And when properties get listed, it shows that their owners take pride in their role in preserving that culture, heritage and history."

 

Buildings, sites, structures and objects at least 50 years old possessing historical significance may qualify for the National Register, according to Vogt. Properties must also maintain their historic location, design, materials and association. Listing on the National Register does not place any limitations on private property owners by the federal government. 

 

For more information on the National Register or other historic preservation programs, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at the Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2217; telephone (605) 773-3458 or website www.sdhistory.org HP/histpres.htm.

 

Following is a summary of each site:

 

 

The Hermosa Masonic Lodge began in 1889 as the Hermosa School. In 1926, the school building was condemned and offered up for sale. The Masonic Lodge purchased the building under the condition that they move the building to make room for the new school to be constructed on the same spot. The purchase was made and plans were made to move the building a few blocks away.   

 

The school originally had a brick veneer, bell tower, and a gable over the entrance. In order to move the building, the Masons had to remove the veneer, bell tower, and gable. The building was then relocated a few blocks away to its new location where it was remodeled as a Masonic Lodge. The building was rebuilt using only the shell of the old school building. The false-front and stucco were added when the building became the Masonic Lodge. The land was purchased for $100, the building for $250, and an additional $2,550 was spent to move and remodel the building.

 

The Hermosa Masonic Lodge is eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places under the Social History criterion for the role the Masons have played in the history of Hermosa. 

 

 

The Tucek-Sykora Farmstead is located in rural southwest Hutchinson County, three miles southeast of Tripp. 

 

The original 160-acre plot was homesteaded by Joseph Dvorak in 1892. In September 1894, the property was purchased by Frank Tucek I, a Czech descendant. The farm, purchased in the 1996 by Harold and Patricia Sykora, remains in the Tucek family. Harold’s mother was Mary Tucek Sykora, daughter of John Tucek and granddaughter of Frank Tucek I.

 

The architectural significance of the Tucek-Sykora Farmstead is embodied in its distinctive characteristics as well as containing examples of building methods representative of Czech Folk architecture in Southeastern South Dakota.

 

Still in use are a stone and dirt house and a stone and wood livestock barn, both built in 1896. These buildings are representative of Czech architecture utilized by many of the early homesteaders in this region of the state. A newer home, built in 1925, exemplifies the Craftsman architecture, which was popular in the eastern part of the state at the time. The corncrib barn is a good illustration of the type built in the grain belt of the country in the early 20^th century. The impressive restored windmill is also a great example of those that existed on many farmsteads in the early 1900’s. A number of other buildings on the farmstead contribute to the significance of the property.

 

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