Bristol is located in the northeast part of South Dakota, along US Highway 12, which recently expanded to a new 4-lane known as the Dakota Expressway. This 4-lane stretch connects Aberdeen to Interstate 29. Bristol is a part of the Yellowstone Trail which was once a wagon track guided by yellow paint marks on telephone poles and rocks.
History
Bristol is located in the western half of Day County on Section 25 of Bristol Township, on the main line of what is now the Burlington Northern Railroad on US Highway 12. Like many other small towns of the upper Midwest, Bristol came into being as a result of railroad expansion. In the late 1870’s, the site which became Bristol was known to railroad graders as Station #70. C.P. Prior, a district railroad surveyor and townsite agent, was given credit for naming Bristol in 1881, naming the town after Bristol, England. The people who settled in and around Bristol were mostly of the Norwegian, Swedish and German descent.
Recreation/Community Events
Stop at Bristol’s RV/Camper site which is located at the northwest corner of Handke Jubilee Park. Four sites offer water, sewer and weekly garbage service. The park is open April 1 – October 31 or as weather permits.
Bristol is within 45 miles of over ten Game, Fish & Parks Recreation areas. It’s a great spot for hunting wildlife, including deer, pheasant, duck, geese, quail and dove. A buffalo ranch and an elk farm is also located nearby.
Contact Information
- The Bristol News Journal, 415 3rd St. So., Bristol, South Dakota 57219
- 605-492-3314
- bristolnews@gmail.com
