Woonsocket, SD

Quick City Facts

County: Sanborn
Population (2019): 648
Population (2010): 655

Data provided by US Census Bureau (2019)

Hours of hunting can be spent around the countryside of Woonsocket.  Enjoy pheasant, deer, coyote, duck, and goose hunting. Woonsocket is the county seat for Sanborn County and the home to the Sanborn County Courthouse. Woonsocket is located in south central South Dakota, on Highway 34 – 24 miles from Huron, 35 miles from Mitchell, 108 miles from Sioux Falls, and 20 miles from Interstate 90.

History

The superintendent of the railroad was C.H. Prior, and he named the new town Woonsocket, after his home town of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.  The City of Woonsocket began in 1883 at the junction of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and Saint Paul Railroads. The town of Woonsocket grew rapidly. The first day lots were offered for sale, 50 lots were sold. Woonsocket grew so fast that it was called “Boomstrucket.”?The population grew from 500 to 800 people in two months. The first business establishment to be located in Woonsocket was a saloon.  Three days after the sale of the first lot, the first church services were held in a carpenter’s shed, which had recently been moved in. Since Woonsocket was in the geographical area of artesian wells, there was an ample supply of good water with advantages of the fertile land and good railroad facilities.

Recreation/Community Events

Thousands of melons are grown annually, with many stands selling their melons. Watermelon, muskmelon, squash, and pumpkin are raised in the area.

The City of Woonsocket has completed a community improvement project for the swimming area at Lake Prior. The renovations include a filtrated concrete swimming area, triple flume water slide, a kiddy slide and new playground equipment. A walkway is completed around the lake, which leads to an island that features a gazebo.

Woonsocket School is a fully accredited K-12 school district.  Its graduation rate is 100% and its dropout rate is less than 1%. The City of Woonsocket and the Woonsocket School District joined forces to build a combined public and school library, and fitness center, which is connected to the Woonsocket High School and the National Guard Armory.

Contact Information

Popular Attractions

The Green Bean Coffeehouse

The Green Bean Coffeehouse

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Abbey of the Hills Inn and Retreat Center

Marvin

Belsnickel & Company Antiques and Collectibles

Belsnickel & Company Antiques and Collectibles

Sioux Falls

Joshua’s Coffee House

Joshua’s Coffee House

Hartford

Visit Rapid City

Visit Rapid City

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Codington County Heritage Museum

Codington County Heritage Museum

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The Journey Museum & Learning Center

The Journey Museum & Learning Center

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Sioux Pottery

Sioux Pottery

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Shakespeare Garden & Anne Hathaway Cottage

Shakespeare Garden & Anne Hathaway Cottage

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Wild Magnolia Coffee Bar & Eatery

Wild Magnolia Coffee Bar & Eatery

Belle Fourche

Look’s Marketplace

Look’s Marketplace

Sioux Falls

T&M Trail Rides

T&M Trail Rides

Nemo

Ken’s FoodFair & Shell Express

Ken’s FoodFair & Shell Express

Groton

Teddy’s Deli

Teddy’s Deli

Keystone

Good Day Cafe

Good Day Cafe

Spearfish

The Broadwater Bar

The Broadwater Bar

Wentworth

Lazy S-Y Lodge

Lazy S-Y Lodge

Glenham

Days Inn

Days Inn

Yankton

Great Faces. Great Places.

South Dakota is an incredibly unique state in that each region offers a completely different experience then the others. Check out each of the regions to see what each has to offer!

Badlands

Western South Dakota

Featuring the Black Hills, Badlands, the Sturgis Rally. This region tends to be the most popular.

CENTRAL REGION

This region of South Dakota offers some of the best hunting and fishing in the entire central US. 

Eastern Region

The eastern region is home to the largest city in the state and provides visitors with a true "prairie" experience.