After a busy week of tests and projects, I finally headed out of Brookings to start SDSU’s Spring Break. While I’m not headed to Cancun like a lot of my classmates, I have a week of fun things planned to do, both work and play. While I was on my way home yesterday, I stopped at Schlagel Farms to work on a story about their century old farm. Here is owner of the homestead, Mona Schlagel, at the original site near Raymond, S.D.

Established in 1899, the 160 acres of this plot was established during the Homestead Act. The Homestead Act allowed for a pioneer to own the land they settled on after five years if they built a house on it, plowed the land, dug up a well and actually lived there. The Schlagel family traveled from Illinois to South Dakota to pursue a new life, and in 1906, the homestead was finally theirs. Since then, this plot of land has continued to stay in the Schlagel family. In 2008, they were recognized at the South Dakota State Fair for their century farm.

Today, I thought I would share a little piece of Dakota history with you. To understand who we are, we have to understand where we come from. South Dakota has a rich history of pioneer settlements, Indian wars, weather challenges and tales of the Wild West. Later this week, I will be experiencing this rich history with my Spring Break trip to the Black Hills. I will share my photos from my journey as the week progresses. Have a great weekend!