Highmore is a small, rural town, and the county seat of Hyde County. Centrally located just 48 miles East of Pierre, the state capital, Highmore is principally a ranching, farming, agricultural community. This central South Dakota area is also the gateway to Big Bend on the Missouri River and offers many fishing, hunting, camping and other recreational, economic development, and business opportunities. Highmore is in the middle of both Hyde County and the state of South Dakota intersecting US Hwy 14 and SD Hwy 47, with proximity to highway, railroad, and air transportation. Highmore and Hyde County are also located in one of the best and largest wind energy development areas in South Dakota.
The city of Highmore is unique in that it has two main, commercial streets. Most rural South Dakota towns, even some with much more population, have just one main, commercial street running through town. Many people who are “just passing through” Highmore do not realize they are missing Commercial Avenue (one block East of Iowa Avenue or SD Hwy 47) which hosts both banks, the post office, the library, the drug store, the health clinic, and Venture Communications Cooperative headquarters, among several other businesses and services.
History
Highmore had its beginnings as a twin town with two main streets. A. E. Van Camp came from Iowa and purchased 40 acres, which he platted on July 3, 1882, with Commercial Avenue as his main street. E. O. Parker, from New York, arrived in February 1882 and purchased 40 acres with Valentine Scrip. He platted it in June with Iowa Avenue as his main street. Businesses quickly built on Second Street, thus connecting the twin towns. Highmore still has two main streets connected by Second Street. When Mr. Parker arrived from New York, he had to deal with Mrs. Lucinda Robinson, since she already had a small hotel on the land he wanted for his town. Highmore is still served by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, only hauling freight, mostly grain grown in this part of the country. The depot was long ago moved from Highmore.
Recreation / Community Events
Highmore has always been a thriving community with a well balanced business district, a volunteer fire department, a progressive school system, a nursing home, a clinic, and housing for the elderly. Our present centers of community activity are the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium, Highmore County Club, Swimming Pool, and Senior Center. We are proud of our Court House, built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Booster Club, Women’s Civic League, and Historical Society are very active in community affairs, including the promotion of Old Settlers Day, the third weekend in June, and the Snow Queen Festival, held in the first part of December.
Contact Information
- City of Highmore, 125 2nd Street SW, PO Box 299, Highmore, SD 57345-0299
- Phone: 605-852-2716
- Website: highmore.org
Source: City of Highmore
