7 Amazing South Dakota Secrets You Never Knew Existed
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Annie
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If you were born and raised in South Dakota, there is a good chance that you are bursting at the seams with state pride and know almost all there is to know about this great state. When we set out to write this round-up, we thought the same but discovered that the Mount Rushmore State is actually chock-full of hidden gems, including these 7 amazing South Dakota secrets that you may not even know exist:
We know, we know: everyone who lives in South Dakota knows all about Mount Rushmore and its secret room... however, it is still worth noting for this piece as it didn't receive nearly any credit until 2017 when national (and international!) news outlets picked up on this historic gem. Why a hidden room? Designer Gutzon Borglum added the Hall of Records as a safe place to store relevant documents and artifacts.
Address: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751
Address: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751
Did you know that there is a full-blown SoDak kuchen factory that is dedicated to turning out German cakes as good as your Oma used to make? Whether you answered yes or no, you are in luck, as the Eureka Kuchen Factory specializes in homemade sugar, prune, and cherry desserts!
Address: 1407 J Avenue, Eureka, SD 57437
Address: 1407 J Avenue, Eureka, SD 57437
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Arguably the most hauntingly beautiful South Dakota ghost town is Okaton which - like many others before and after it - rose and fell with the railroad. Founded in 1906, Okaton once housed numerous homes and families but became all but deserted after the Milwaukee Railroad closed in the 1980s. When you visit today, you will find both dilapidated and still-standing homes, as well as old shops and a grain elevator.
Address: Okaton, SD 57562
Address: Okaton, SD 57562
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Are you craving a mouthwatering prime rib that is as thick and juicy as it is flavorful? Look no further than this South Dakota... gas station? That's right, folks; the best prime rib in SoDak comes from the Grey Goose Store & Social Club, which also serves a can't-miss assortment of burgers, breakfast food, and Mexican fare.
Address: 28886 Merry Road, Pierre, SD 57501
Address: 28886 Merry Road, Pierre, SD 57501
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South Dakota is home to more unique stores than we can count, the most enchanting of which is the Termesphere Gallery. Located in Spearfish, the Termesphere Gallery is home to the art of Dick Termes, whose intricate sphere paintings have gained both national and international attention.
Address: 1920 Christensen Drive, Spearfish, SD 57783
Address: 1920 Christensen Drive, Spearfish, SD 57783
Only in South Dakota can you see guys and gals picking up old outhouses and racing them to the finish line! This isn't a typo, folks, but rather the annual Nemo 500, which takes place every winter and benefits the Naja Shrine Hospital Children's Travel Trust Fund.
Address: Nemo, SD 57759
Address: Nemo, SD 57759
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Do you think that the best pizza comes from New York, Chicago, and/or Siciliy? Then you have obviously never visited Lintz Brothers Pizza, which serves such innovative "pizza with personality" flavors as Pie-Mac (think Big Mac!), Chili Cheese Frito, and Big Fat Greek.
Address: 14287 SD-36, Hermosa, SD 57744
Address: 14287 SD-36, Hermosa, SD 57744
How many of these South Dakota secrets did you know? Let us know in the comments! For even more SoDak fun, check out these 8 Insane Things That Happened In South Dakota You Won’t Find in History Books.
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