Brule County, South Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

Ole T. Strand from Jølster and Tore O. Larson, whose parents were from Numedal, were the first Norwegians in Brule County. They came to Dunlap in 1882.

Pioneer Hardships

Prairie fires were among the greatest dangers faced by the early settlers. At times, enormous walls of flame swept across the prairie and seemed impossible to escape. Somehow the settlers managed to survive and, at least, save their small homes. The grasshoppers created another serious hardship. When they destroyed the crops, there was no grain to grind into flour, and the settlers had to depend largely on their livestock for food. Shortages of food were therefore a continuing problem in this settlement.

Public Office

N. Larsen of Puckwana, a Norwegian, represented Brule County in the State Legislature.

Norwegian Place Names

A post office named Ola existed in Brule County.

Sources:

[Ulvestad, Martin. Nordmændene i Amerika. Utg. History Book Company's Forlag. Minneapolis, Minn. 1907.]