Where is Chamberlain?
In case you are unfamiliar with the location of Chamberlain, SD – it is located in the heartland of South Dakota, in Brule County on the eastern bank of the Missouri River.
The town is next to the Interstate I-90 and offers therefore a nice break for visitors travelling East or West through South Dakota.
The town’s population of only 2.5k doesn’t account for the variety of entertainment outlets and businesses located in downtown Chamberlain. Since the town caters for the needs of people living within a 50 miles radius and is a popular tourist destination there are facilities to cater for almost every need.
Why not come and visit Chamberlain the next time you are passing through on the Interstate?
Chamberlain is an exciting place to visit. You will find an eclectic mix of native american culture and a flair of the old american pioneer spirit which made this country great. Many buildings in town date back to the 18 hundreds and give a feel of the old Wild West Era. There are galleries and museums celebrating the native american heritage and you will also find little antique shops selling items which date right back to the pioneer days.
Why not set aside a few hours of your journey East or West and visit us in Chamberlain.
Chamberlain History
The Text on the Plaque
Chamberlain 1880
Named for Selah Chamberlain, a Milwaukee RR official. The site was scene of an encounter between Jean Baptist Trudeau and the Teton Sioux in 1794 and when Samuel H. Morrow surveyed the area in November 1868, he found a ranch on American Creek on the townsite but did not name the rancher.
The Milwaukee at Marion Junction and the Northwestern at Volga in the fall of 1879 stickpiled materials all winter for the race for the Missouri in the spring, it not being known whether the Milwaukee would come down the American Creek or go to Brule City 17 miles down river, the county seat. Townsite survey was completed Octber, 27, 1880, after John Lawler acquired title on some civil war script and Henry Pilger who had moved in earlier in 1880 got the first choice of lots where the plat was filed. Lot 1 Block 3 on Main Street 200 yards from the American Creek where he built a shanty and fed the newcomers. The winter of 1880-81 was a fearful one, deep snow and floods and the RR construction of 1880 was largely destroyed, the railroad reaching Chamberlain in 1882 and in the meanwhile it had been built up via the river with the C. K. Peek steamer bringing in most of the material for Chamberlain’s first buildings.
Chamberlain for 24 years was the railhead for the richly grassed White River Valley to the West and its vast herds of cattle and also for the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Reservations upriver. It beat out Brule City for county seat in the Nov, 8 , 1881 election and has been seat of an Indian school since 1897. It was the last steamboat town in South Dakota
What to do in Chamberlain?
You will be surprised at the variety of food and entertainment outlets in town:
For a small town there are a surprising amount of Restaurants and Fast Food outlets. You will be spoiled for choice with more than 5 Restaurants and 5 Fast Food outlets.
Check out our webpage on the “Food Mile” in Chamberlain!
“The Food Mile”
Now Chamberlain is not just the Restaurant capital on the East Bank of the Missouri but it also offers a unique shopping experience unlike any other town in Brule County and beyond. There are antique stores, stores for sporting goods, gift stores and also shops for your everyday needs such as RadioShack, a pharmacy or The Food Center.
Chamberlain is probably one of very few select towns of that size who can boast of hosting a gallery of native art, two exhibitions about the Lakota people and their history in addition to the South Dakota Hall of Fame.
There are two camp sites in Chamberlain, a Marina, a small pleasure beach and plenty of summer activities you can enjoy.
Even in the cold months of the year there is cosy old town cinema on Main street for a good night out.
Have you ever seen a ship half inside and half outside the building. Spend some time at the Rest Area off the interstate I-90 at Chamberlain and be amazed by the exhibition celebrating pioneer life in South Dakota.
Entertainment:
- Dakota Indian Foundation – Gallery and ethnic shop
- Cinema on North Main Street
- Akta Lakota Museum
- American Creek
- South Dakota Hall of Fame
- Children’s Playground – to keep your kids happy
- Shopping at one of the many antique shops
- Roam Free Park with amazing views over the town
- Kite flying in the “Roam Free Park”Further useful businesses:
5 gas stations are located in town
2 Banks including ATMs
Antique Stores
2 Camp Grounds + more nearby
Thrift Store
Launderette
Hairdressers
Food Stores
2 Hardware stores
Electronics Store
Chamberlain Airport