Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes

Janet Brown

2024-05

We arrived too late to do the tour but was told we could walk around the grounds and given a map to all Ingalls related places in De Smet which was very helpful downtown, at the cemetery, and homestead. However, I do not feel this museum is as large and had as many exhibits as the Walnut Grove one.

lee Brown

2023-08

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Allan Jagd Esmarch

2023-08

The young guide was great and you truly felt like stepping right into the books and even beyond as the tour took you through the later life of Laura and her family.A MUST for everyone who has read the books.

Cyndie Chinnici

2023-07

A must for any Laura Ingalls Wilder fan. Books or television. We've also been to Mansfield, MO, where Laura and Almanzo lived and ultimately died. Mansfield was beautiful, peaceful and exudes the Wilder family. It's where the books were written, edited. It's where the legacy was conceived and born.We have also been to Walnut Grove, MN.But DeSmet is *it*. There's *so* much to see and absorb. They were real people that lived and endured in a wild unknown, unpredictable part of a young new nation. They represent all the pioneer families that took similar risks. It took strength. I find that fascinating.Now, there are no living direct descendants of the Ingalls family. Which is sad, kind of, but I think that also adds to the legacy.The tour starts here, takes you a little ways across town to the last house Pa built. Laura & Almanzo's first house is not far either. Their unnamed infant son, and the rest of the Ingalls are buried in the cemetery.Outside of town is also the Ingalls Homestead. That is quite large and gives one an idea of the scale of a plot of land and attempting to tame it may have been like.

Judson Fredrickson

2023-09

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Michael Opie

2023-05

A little pricey at $120 for a family of 6. There are quite a few things for kids to do, like making g rope, grinding flower and such. This is the original location, but no original structures. But it is still worth going to see. Between this homestead and a few location in town, You can easily spend a whole day out here. It's educational and fun at the same time.

Jeremy Kerstetter

2023-05

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Lisa Baxter

2023-08

Very nice tour and awesome gal giving the tour , very knowledgeable and kind . It was $16.00 for the tour , well worth the money and learned so many interesting things . If you are passing thru DeSmett , be sure and stop by this treasure . Also a gift shop and many more artifacts in the back part of the gift shop . Many treasures and artifacts from so many of the Ingalls family . Five stars ✨✨✨ ✨✨

Kerry Troche

2023-05

It is so interesting to see how life was lived so long ago! I am impressed with how well this place has been preserved and in some areas, restored. Also, if you have read the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, it’s like the books come alive and you can just picture Laura here with Mary and Ma And Pa! There’s just something about being there! It’s like, “wow!”I strongly encourage a visit if you are anywhere near De Smet, SD! It’s worth the drive.They do a great job on the tour, explaining the history of the house and sharing stories about how it was back then. They also give you plenty of time to look around and ask questions. Very friendly people!

Tony Hill

2023-05

This is a wonderful piece of preserved Americana.After reading the books, Seeing these preserved building just takes on another respect and admiration for those who settled some of the harshest territories this great nation had to offer and the hard work and struggles of those who helped tame it to what it is today.Whether or not you know the Ingalls' story, this is worth the time to relive a little piece of American history.

alice schadewald

2023-08

DeSmet is one of the homes of Laura...as we pulled in we walked in one-room school room ..the interesting piece was a former governor had attended the school in his youth ...after using a modernized bathroom we walked around the buildings...some moved in from other areas in the region...we were welcome to the souvenir shop but turned down the paid tour due to time....

M SCH

2022-05

Very interesting and historically documented. Road signs leading you to the Ingalls homestead and the village is very clearly instructed. The only thing I missed was the cemetery in Desmet where some of the family are buried. Understand that Minnesota has some claim to the Ingalls fame in the books. Walnut Grove Minnesota also some Ingalls family buried there. Laura died a ripe old age in Missouri being married to Alfonso Wilder. If you are crazy about their life as I am you will enjoy DeSmet S.D. Wonderful job of preserving the history. 53 miles north of Interstate 90.then left Desmet headed east on S.R.14 to interstate 29.

Nora Palacios

2023-05

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Renee Archer

2022-05

If you're a Little House fan, this is a must-see! De Smet was the setting of 5 of LIW's books. De Smet is a small, quiet town, and the tour is walking distance from downtown. $35 for 2 adults and a child. There is a bit of driving involved, a few blocks away to the Ingalls house in town.

Carl Muhm

2022-05

Always wanted to stop here in De Smet SD to see a pice of Laura Ingalls Wilder place.Do stop in the gift shop and purchase a tour 🎟 ticket and take a step back in the time Laura lived.Lost a star today as there a need to show respect to all service and medical alert dog that are clearly state on there collar and vest service dog working. No need to yell infront of folks get that dog out of here, but follow the ADA policy on service animal's.Just a note still a great pice of history to witness and worth seeing..

Ma'am Fitzgerald

2020-05

Neat area full of history.Even if you go during closed hours.Great photo opportunitiesThe area has a Covered wagon, school building, statue, information and much more.Free maps of the area with other tourist sites for Laura Ingalls Wilder

Garry Thompson

2023-05

Being a fan of the “Little House on the Prairie” TV Series, I decided to travel to De Smet to visit some of the sited directly related to the Ingalls Family. After stopping at the Ingalls Homestead just a mile out of town I made my way to the Small Town of De Smet to visit some of the other sites related to Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Ingalls family. My fist stop was at the Surveyors House where the family lived when they first arrived in De Smet. In Addition to the Surveyors House there is the school that the Ingalls Girls attended and a replica of the Brewster School. There is also a very nice statue of a young Laura. After finishing at the Surveyors Home, I spent another enjoyable hour or so walking around the small town and visited the "town home" that was built by Charles. This home still contains some of the furniture that was built by Charles. While walking around the town I discovered several other historic building and enjoyed reading the little informational plaque affixed to each building. I really glad that I decided to visit and enjoyed walking around the town and touring some of the sites related to the Ingalls Family.

Kate Straub

2021-05

Unbelievably the surveyors house where Laura Ingalls lived with her family is still standing and in excellent condition and so is the school she attended in De Smet. The original blackboard that Laura would have written on also exists as does the last house Pa built for Ma and Mary to live in (until they died). There were many relics from her family in the family home and we were given a very informative tour (everyone wearing masks). This is an excellent, informative and historical place to visit and well worth making it a destination in itself.

Ric Wright

2023-05

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Misty Cabanas

2022-05

We arrived 1 hour after the last tour, so we weren't able to see everything. I enjoyed what we did see tho.

JuliAnn Geiger

2020-05

Loved this historical tour. Plan for at least 2hrs to see and hear the tour. It's worth the $14 adult admission

Wesley Lehman

2022-05

Very nice to see the buildings and artifacts. The tour guide made the $14 price worth it. Great to see the place described.

Robert Smethers

2023-05

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Maryjane Westra

2020-05

Take your grandchildren here. Don't have grandchildren? Go yourself. Very fun and informative. Skip amusement parks this year. Costumes not required but highly advised.

Richard Anderson

2024-01

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John Louderback

2023-08

Excellent guided tour of the grounds with an outstanding tour guide. I think it would be great if all the tour guides could take a trip to experience The Missouri site . Honestly the tour value was incredible, the commentary was perfect and our guide answered every question with great energy and excitement. You could tell she loves her job . I highly recommend this experience

Reuven Zecharia

2023-08

Cool memorabilia items abound at this Historic site. The women who run this house are courteous and knowledgeable. They are also flexible. We loved our tour guide. She dressed like it was the 19th Century on the Frontier!! She was pleasant, and answered all of our questions well. She was INCREDIBLY knowledgeable and has quite a head on her shoulders! I don't know how she was able to tell it all by heart. It impressed us much. ALL Americans need to stop by this most Authentic piece of Americana. South Dakota has the most Laura Ingalls Wilder writings after all!!!

Eva-Marie Winter

2019-05

Worth the stop. We didn't buy the tour, but there was enough to see without. They have a great interactive area for kids. Lots of fun.

hammer101

2019-05

Easy to find, plenty of parking. Tour 2 historical buildings, 1 re-creation and the Ingalls home on 3rd st. Gift shop.

Elizabeth Charbonneau

2023-10

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