Old Faulkton & Orient @ the turn of
the 20th Century
We know Christ and Ingeborg immigrated
into the United States in 1882 living in Wisconsin for about 3 years.
After that they moved
to Faulk Co. in about 1885. I need to go to the local Register of Deeds
and document when he first settled his acreage. Christ started like many
pioneers, with the homestead act claiming his land. I fell into these
photos when visiting Faulkton. The historical
society published these photos in a calendar as a glimpse into 125 years
of Faulkton history. These photos depict Faulkton in the
late 1800's to early 1900's. This was the time of Christ and Ingeborg and
no doubt they entered these very same buildings riding their horse and buggy on
those same dirt, rain soaked streets. These were the times of my
great-grandparents during their youth and middle years.
I suspect one
of the first places was to register his claim at the local land office.
The county seat at that time was
Lafoon moving
to Faulkton in 1886. I don't know if he went there or to this one in
Faulkton. Faulkton began in 1882
when a group
of men from Iowa came to Faulk County to homestead and establish the town.
Major John A. Pickler led
the group.
He also was the first representative to Washington from South Dakota
establishing his home and land
office just
southeast of Faulkton.
The first
courthouse of Faulk County was built in Lafoon, the county seat. When the
railroad bypassed Lafoon in
1886, the
voters of Faulk County picked Faulkton to become the county seat and most
buildings including the above
court house
moved to Faulkton.
The old wooden courthouse however, was not placed on the courthouse square, but
on a corner lot at 8th Ave. So. &
St. John
Street. It eventually burned down.
The new brick courthouse (present one) was built in 1905 on the courthouse
square, dedication and corner stone being
laid April
27, 1905
This is the 'new'
courthouse built in 1905. It has special memories for me in that my
mother, Mary worked there
on the second floor
on the left which is the treasurer's office. This is also where she fell
ill from her illness that
took her life.
Kenny Eschenbaum, son to Ida Hansen worked here as his last job before retiring.
Christ knew this
building quite well
I am sure for paying taxes and buying necessary licenses.
I find it interesting that there are all these people posing
for photographs. Perhaps because it was a new technology.
Notice that these folks are dressed up in their finest of
clothing.
This is the Bank of Faulkton, 1893 or 1894. This
building was on the corner of Main St. and 8th Ave. North. It was known as
White's Hall. It had a show house on the second floor
in the 1890's. It was an Odd Fellows Hall later. Now gone, it
is the
present location of the 212 Cafe which is along what is
called HWY 212. I am personally confused as I think this was located
in a different place on Main street a block from the
courthouse. The photo further down showing Main street shows this
building at the far end to my eye.
This is a 1913 photo of a dry goods store known as the Byabit Store
then. Notice the painting on the wall, which was
done by the famous Faulkton businessman and artist, Charles T.
Greener (1870-1935) Greener was commissioned to
paint and decorate the new Faulk Co. Courthouse. His murals
were restored and are on the north and south walls of
the third floor courtroom. Also, notice the tin ceiling which
was very popular then, now coming back in style. My record
says this building is still standing and is the Faulkton Drug
Store.
Boller Furniture Store in 1898.
I remember this building while growing up in Faulkton in the 1960's. It
was still called Boller Furniture.
He tore it down and built a brick building at that time. Now, it is
one of the local 'watering holes'
known as the Short Stop Bar. The building on the right is gone. No
doubt Christ and Ingeborg crossed
these thresholds looking for some furniture at one time or another.
This is a view of
the inside of Boller's. Notice the hanging lanterns and what I would call
rather overstuffed
Victorian type chairs.
Cash Grocery, 1936. This was the Levi Roberts store. Levi is
pictured on the left. This is the building
where Faulkton Hardware
is now located now called 8th Ave., but I knew as Main street. I remember
Levi as he
built a brick building
down a couple of lots from this building. My cousin's wife Joan Eschenbaum
owns the building
now which houses her home
decoration business.
The Tanner Hotel was built in 1910. I remember this quite
well as it was owned by one of my classmate's father.
It was known as the Jensen Hotel. Or that was the sign.
But, we still called it the Tanner Hotel.
This was taken in the 1920's
showing Main Street. Now it is called 8th Ave. Notice Tanner Hotel on the
right
This is my favorite photo. This is Faulkton in 1900 or 1901. This is
looking south, with the old school to the bottom left to the Methodist Church.
This is certainly a capture of time. Notice the girl standing by the
school and the kids walking on the dirt paths.
I mentioned to Leslie Hansen that there probably isn't a building left standing
from this photo and he said there was one house that he
knew of. Certainly many little 'Houses on the Prairie' here!
Orient is 8 miles south and 2 east of Faulkton
Christ's homestead is 9 miles to the west of Orient
Orient, South Dakota was closer to the Hansen farm and this photo was taken in
1887-1888. From the location of the RR tracks, I
would say this is looking west, towards the Hansen farm.
The
above is a township map of Faulk County, South Dakota. Christ & Ingeborg's
homestead was
block #
33 west of Orient in Irving Township. You notice L. Hansen is in block
#15. He is the son ( Lee )
of
Lester Hansen, grandson to Christ & Ingeborg. L Hansen's property and
Christ's are now combined
due to
inheritance.
| 
Christ & Ingeborg Hansen
Families
