The picturesque, gently rolling hills of northeastern South Dakota were formed by glaciers 20,000 years ago. A French cartographer first mapped the area in 1838, calling it Coteau des Prairies,-French for 'Hills of the Prairies.' On these hills sits Codington County, which got its name from the Reverend G.S. Codington, a traveling preacher based in Watertown. On August 7, 1878, Kampeska was named the first county seat. At the same time, railroad lines were extended from Minnesota into South Dakota, leading to a great influx of population known as the Great Dakota Boom. The rails only went as far as the Big Sioux River, which was east of Kampeska, so by the end of the year, the entire town up and moved to meet the railroad. With its new location came a new name: Watertown. An influx of German and Norwegian settlers in the early 1900s brought Codington County close to its current population of over 25,000.

Watertown and Codington County South Dakota (SD) (Images of America)

Arts & Photography

Tim Hoheisel

Lisa Hanson

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Tim Hoheisel. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Tim Hoheisel

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Tim Hoheisel. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Watertown and Codington County South Dakota (SD) (Images of America)