Six east river structures awarded historic preservation grants

Funds for program come from Deadwood gaming revenue

(Carrie Moritz / Garretson Gazette)

Eastern South Dakota cities from Aberdeen to Vermillion are getting a share of $75,000 awarded in the latest round of South Dakota State Historical Society grants.

The state-backed historical preservation organization Thursday announced six historically significant buildings - five of which are more than a 120 years old — have been awarded funds through its Deadwood Grant Program that will help keep the structures — and South Dakota’s history — intact.

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Aberdeen: The Brown County Courthouse, built in 1904, was awarded $20,000 for repairs to the bell tower and masonry and tuckpointing work to the building’s exterior;

Dell Rapids: First National Bank of Dell Rapids, built in 1889, was awarded $14,000 for tuckpointing to provide better structural integrity and basement rehabilitation;

Garretson: The Split Rock Bathhouse, built in 1936, was awarded $9,000 for rehabilitation work including caulk and tuckpointing on cracked mortar joints;

Geddes: The Papineau Trading Post, built in 1857, was awarded $5,000 for stabilization work including adding support beams to support the upper floor;

Pierre: The Farr House, built in 1904, was awarded $13,000 for repair and reconstruction of damaged historic box gutter, fascia, and soffit; and

Vermillion: Vermillion Carnegie Library, built in 1904, was awarded $14,000 for building stabilization, prioritizing the rehabilitation of the damaged cupola.

Awarded twice a year, Deadwood Grants are dedicated to historical structures in the state used for commercial, residential or public, assisting property owners in restoring and rehabilitating them.

“This historic preservation grants program is designed to encourage restoration or rehabilitation of historic properties and is one more way we can promote and protect our history and culture”, said Jenna Carlson Dietmeier, Interim State Historic Preservation Officer.

Grants have been used for routine maintenance projects like repair roofs and stone cleaning. The grants have also aided complex renovations, restoring porches and replacing church steeples.

Recipients, who can receive up to $25,000, must match the awarded granted.

The Deadwood Grant Program is funded through gaming revenue generated in the city of Deadwood.

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