A Stroll Through South Dakota’s Original 1880 Town

By
Christian
– March 15, 2021

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Wells Fargo Express Office 1880 Town
When traveling across South Dakota on Interstate 90, just west of Murdo, a small town suddenly bursts into view from the highway. Many towns dot the landscape of the main road that spans South Dakota, so what makes this one so unique? Welcome to 1880 Town, an authentic 1880 to 1920 era town of buildings and artifacts.

In 1969, Richard Hullinger bought 14 acres of land at Exit 170 and had no plans of building an attraction but it was around this time that a movie company arrived in a nearby town to film an 1880 era movie. A set was constructed from old buildings, with many Indian relics and antiques being borrowed from Clarence Hullinger, Richard’s father. Filming was eventually abandoned when winter set in and the collection of buildings was given to Clarence for the use of his artifacts. The movie set was then moved to the land that Richard had purchased and the 1880 Town was established.

My South Dakota travel plans originally included a stop at 1880 Town, but I decided against it as I had already made too many roadside stops on my journey from Minneapolis to Rapid City. The weather couldn’t decide between sun and clouds that day, but had finally settled into a ominous, stormy sky when I raced over a slight South Dakota hill. That’s when 1880 Town lay sprawled before me and, in that moment, my plans changed. There was no way I could pass up photos of an old Western town with such a perfect stormy sky! I quickly exited Interstate 90, paid the admission, and was soon transported to the Old West. Here’s a quick photographic tour of 1880 Town for you to enjoy!

Longhorn Saloon 1880 TownLonghorn Saloon

US Marshal's Office at 1880 TownU.S. Marshal’s Office

St Stephen's Church at 1880 TownSt. Stephen’s Church – 1915

1880 Town in South Dakota1880 Town Main Street

Draper Hotel at 1880 TownDraper Hotel – 1910

1880 Town National BankNational Bank

1880 Town Old HomesteadOld Homestead

Fire Company at 1880 TownFire Company

Big Foot Pass Presbyterian Church at 1880 TownBig Foot Pass Presbyterian Church

Bank & Hotel at 1880 TownDraper Hotel & National Bank

1880 Town BlacksmithBlacksmith


Culpepper Saloon at 1880 TownCulpepper Saloon

1880 Town StreetJewelry Store (1892) & Feed and Seed

1880 Town SchoolhouseOne-room School House

1880 Town Post OfficeOahe Mission Post Office – 1881

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