SDPB Radio | By Kylin McKean
Published February 4, 2025
Jakob Etrheim, President of the Garretson Area Historical Society, discusses the town’s history and how it got its name.
The history of Garretson begins just down Split Rock Creek in a village first called Pleasant Valley, later renamed Palisades. This small settlement experienced significant growth throughout the 1870s and 1880s, with the establishment of a feed mill, post office, a small silver mine, and several other buildings.
In 1888, the Willmar and Sioux Falls (WSF) Railway, under the direction of James J. Hill and his Great Northern Railway, completed a line through Palisades from Minnesota. In 1889, the Sioux City and Northern Railroad sought to connect its railway from Sioux City to the WSF line. Initially, this junction was planned for the newly founded village of Sherman—named after E.A. Sherman, who financed the WSF line—which would have benefited both Sherman and Palisades. However, investors such as A.S. Garretson of Sioux City, IA, advocated for relocating the rail intersection to land they owned north of Palisades.
To maximize the value of the land that would now feature a triangular railroad junction, business owners in Palisades were offered free building sites if they relocated their establishments to the new railroad junction. This led to the formation of a new town—Garretson—in 1889, marking the end of the village of Palisades. The community was officially incorporated in 1891, and many original buildings relocated from Palisades still stand in Garretson today.
In its early years, Garretson rapidly developed into a thriving railroad town, soon boasting two hotels, two banks, two lumberyards, an opera house, and even a cigar factory—all fueled by the prosperity of the railroad. The Garretson public school was established early in the town’s history and remains a leader in education and athletics in the state. After World War I, the American Legion Henry G. Fix Post #23 was founded in Garretson, named after the first Garretson resident killed during the war. The Legion has remained a cornerstone of the community ever since.
Though it happened many years before Garretson was established, one of the community’s most famous legends involves outlaw Jesse James and his daring escape at Devil’s Gulch. In 1876, the James-Younger Gang attempted to rob the First National Bank in Northfield, MN. Frank and Jesse James fled west toward the Dakota Territory when the attempt failed. As the pair neared present-day Garretson, a pursuing posse picked up their trail, forcing the brothers to split up.
According to legend, Jesse was cornered at a deep chasm along Split Rock Creek. With the posse closing in, he turned his horse, spurred it forward, and miraculously leaped across the 20-foot gorge. His pursuers were left behind, and Jesse eventually reunited with Frank. The story goes that the brothers hid in the area for several days before craftily returning to Missouri. Jesse James was ultimately gunned down in 1882, but his legend lives on in Garretson.
Today, Devil’s Gulch is a public park that attracts thousands of visitors worldwide. Garretson celebrates its connection to the infamous outlaw every June with its annual Jesse James Days festival. In addition to Devil’s Gulch, Garretson is home to two other popular public parks. Split Rock Park is a local favorite for fishing and camping, featuring a 1930s W.P.A.-built overflow dam and bathhouse. The third park on the site of the former village of Palisades later became state property and was transformed into Palisades State Park, one of the most popular state parks in South Dakota for camping, hiking, and rock climbing.
Today, Garretson is home to 1,228 residents, maintaining its rich history and strong sense of community.
Dakota Life Greetings from Garretson premieres on Thursday, February 13th at 8 PM Central (7 PM MT) on SDPB1, Facebook, and YouTube. Stream the next day on the PBS App.
