On Saturday, July 22, Palisades State Park will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary. In recognition of the milestone, several activities are planned, including a trails poker run.
Palisades State Park first began as the town of Palisade, which was abandoned after businesses were offered free land 3 miles north if they would move to the junction area established by the railroad.
The village of Palisade came about when the first settlers arrived in Minnehaha County between 1865 and 1873, settling near the cliffs of pink quartzite rock on Split Rock Creek. By 1888, the small town was already thriving, with a general store and hotel, flour mill, grocery store, newspaper, and physician, to name a few.
In the winter of 1889, those businesses took the railroad investors up on their offer and moved north, putting Garretson on the map and taking Palisade off.
The area reverted to farmland and a recreation area until 1972, when the state established a state park along the creek. According to the Argus Leader, the first 25 acres were donated by Winona Lyons (of W.H. Lyons Fairgrounds fame). While it is unknown how the state came across the second 25 acres, the next 50 acres was claimed by way of eminent domain from Paul. Sorenson in 1970, and the final 57 acres were purchased piecemeal over the next few years.
"The recreation area attracted a lot of people from New England," said Oran Sorenson. "When we asked how they found out about the place, they said, 'Shh, we don't reveal our secrets."
Sorenson also confided to the Gazette that a nudist colony existed on the land once upon a time, and that there was once a meeting to establish the Ku Klux Klan in the area. He was unsure if it ever got off the ground, as his father expressed disgust at the concept and refused to go to another meeting.
At 157 acres, Palisades State Park was the second smallest state park in South Dakota, though it has been known as one of the most popular. Much of this has to do with the beautiful quartzite cliffs. It is also one of the only areas in eastern South Dakota where one can go rock climbing.
In 2019, it was announced that the state had acquired another 250 acres to the southwest, which would more than double the size of the park. Those acres are still under development with a goal of opening fully to the public by 2024. The 50th Anniversary Celebration will include a full presentation on the expansion plans from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The celebration will include a full slate of events, but the main event will be a Trails Poker Run, where participants will need to visit several different areas of the park.
"The Poker Run will also include Split Rock Park and Devil's Gulch in Garretson," said Park Director Luke Dreckman. "Folks will have to get their sheets stamped and turned in by 1:00 p.m."
Registration will be from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Palisades Park Picnic Shelter.
The grand prize is a kayak, life jacket, and $25 Scheels gift card. Second, third, and fourth prizes include a guided rock climb, camping set up, and cornhole game. Other prizes will include pizza and gift certificates from Garretson businesses, apparel from The Great Outdoor Store, and golf at River Ridge.
There is no cost to enter the run, but a park pass will be required. A daily pass is only $8.
Other events include an open house beginning at 2:30 p.m. and a station where visitors can create their own bird feeders, which will be found at the Palisades Picnic Shelter at 4:30 p.m.
Volunteers are still being sought, especially those who may know the history of Palisades and Garretson well. Contact Luke Dreckman at 605-594-3824.
