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

Thunder Road of Sioux Falls

Thunder Road of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls

Oahe Speedway

Oahe Speedway

Pierre

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

Rapid City

Phillips Avenue Diner

Phillips Avenue Diner

Sioux Falls

Woolly’s Grill & Cellar

Woolly’s Grill & Cellar

Hot Springs

Discovery Tours

Discovery Tours

Lead

Branding Iron Bistro

Branding Iron Bistro

Pierre

Native West Trading Company

Native West Trading Company

Interior

Daily Clean Food & Drink

Daily Clean Food & Drink

Sioux Falls

Dahl Arts Center

Dahl Arts Center

Rapid City

Corn Palace Gift Shop

Corn Palace Gift Shop

Mitchell

Sylvan Lake Lodge

Sylvan Lake Lodge

Custer

Beef Jerky Outlet

Beef Jerky Outlet

Hill City

The Historic Fairmont Hotel & Oyster Bay Bar

The Historic Fairmont Hotel & Oyster Bay Bar

Deadwood

Ken’s FoodFair & Shell Express

Ken’s FoodFair & Shell Express

Groton

Rushmore Borglum Story

Rushmore Borglum Story

Keystone

Baltic Corner Bar & Grill

Baltic Corner Bar & Grill

Dell Rapids

Springs Inn Cafe and Lounge

Springs Inn Cafe and Lounge

Wessington Springs

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.