Ardmore

The National Geographic used a picture from Ardmore from 2004 in article called "The Late Great Plains." It's now a wallpaper for my computer monitors.

Beautiful pictures. Love looking back to what it used to be and feel I'm not thankful enough what God has given us now.

Great Photos, Joel! How do I buy that beautiful rusty Chevy?

I love reading about the history of a town. The pictures are wonderful!

Great pics, Joel! So interesting learning about South Dakota's past.

Your pictures make me feel like I'm
right there. Awesome photography, Joel!!

These are so enjoyable to look at. Thank you, Joel, for sharing your photography gift with us.

This group of pictures just makes one want to go there to experience it all over again.

Great photography ! I love the history of old towns.

There is such loneliness in abandoned towns. When you walk the streets it's as if the memories are blowing past you in the breeze. These photos reflect that feeling.

Impressed again with Joel's photos. And the story is enlightening. Of course, without water life is limited.

Beautiful photographs. Joel Schwader has such and eye and really knows how to tell a story. Interesting that the grass looks so lush in a town that died from a lack of water.

I remember going to Ardmore for the annual firemens ball...good times and good people. We would always stop on our way to Cascade falls and buy some picnic supplies at the general store. Lots of good memories!

I just finished an historical fiction thriller set in Ardmore. I made the town come back to life through a scary perspective that is befitting to the deserted little town out in the middle of the lonely plains.
The book takes place in Ardmore and western Nebraska and includes some local folklore like the Witch's Grave, the Ghost Ship of the Platte, the School Children's Blizzard of 1888, Ft. Robinson, Ghost Dancers and strange occurrences along the Oregon Trail.
Check out my pictures and more about the book on my Face Book page @jamesreimerardmore. The book is titled ARDMORE, by James Reimer.

Ardmore comes to life each November on the opening weekend of west river deer season. 3 hunting camps make the population explode to 20-25 people. One camp has refurbished the hotel in town & now they are working on the VFW building. They host a burger feed & a pancake feed each November to benefit the Ardmore volunteer fire department. We have been hunting the area for 15 years & built our cabin in Ardmore 10 years ago. We have made lifelong friendships with several local ranch families. Great people out there!

I have had so many memories here in Ardmore. I am so sad to see my family having to leave the area and all the wonderful people from the area as well. My dad was a firefighter for the Ardmore Volunteer Fire Dept for MANY years and a local rancher as well. I will always think of Ardmore as home and I will always think of the friends in the area and the hunters who come down for hunting season as family.
Along with what Kelly said: I always thought of hunting season in November as a holiday, and hope I still make it down to see everyone for the good time! :)

I lived in Ardmore 1956-58 and loved it! These pics bring back so many memories, wonderful memories. I was so saddened to go thru there a couple of years ago reminiscing and saw the Sunshine Café that my parents, Ted and Julia Birdsall owned so falling down.

grew up on a ranch by Rumford. We used to go to church there and also were members of the fire dept. Also sold furs there at Harry's store in the mid 70's. I have fond memories of there and would like to relocate back there maybe when I retire. Rebecca, tho I do not know you my dad (Charles Morris and I used to hunt deer there on Duck Creek and Hat Creek.

Although I was raised in Illinois, during the early and mid-1960's, my parents and I vacationed near Ardmore while we looked for Fairburn agate on the grasslands and near Orella, NE. Remember meeting Harry Hartman and specifically remember his Moon Pies with the worm holes in them. Also met the good folks who ran the Hat Creek Cafe on the south side of town. Have many wonderful memories of Ardmore, Scenic, Crawford, and Orella, with its Sugar Loaf Butte.

The hotel mentioned above, once the Ardmore Hotel, was owned and run by my great grandparents, Harriet and George W Joseph. I am thrilled to hear it still stands and hope to one day see it for myself!

We just drove through and stopped at Ardmore. Very interesting if not a little scary and irry place. Looks like lots of the town just up and left at once! What happened?

Maybe there needs to be a new effort to revive the town! I'm looking to retire in this very area. Anyone else interested? It would be a challange but what fun!

Hey Rich, I'm game. I've been looking around for very small towns or Ghost towns that I could move to. I have a self contained camper I can always live in if I can't buy a building to renovate. You can contact me at KLemkecompton@yahoo.com.

Everyone, I just returned from South Dakota yesterday, Jan.17, 2015. I made a special trip down to Ardmore to look around. The town is in serious deteriorated shape. You couldn't live in any buildings and most should be condemned. Entering them would be very risky. There is evidence that a couple of building are being maintained on a shoe string budget. There are a few people living there but I don't know how many. The cars in these photos above are still there. There are a lot of cars there that are not shown in the pictures. Near by small towns are basically old car parking lots like Ardmore. A metal scrapper would make good money here. The Ardmore water tower is still up and looks like it hasn't been painted in 50 plus years. What appears to be a pumping house also is in bad shape and the roof has collapsed. There was enough snow to make exploring by foot difficult so I just drove around. I will be out again in June this year to look some more, take pictures and possibly talk to people that are living there to ask there perspective on the towns future. I will also be bringing a hard hat.

Dear all,
in 2007 we did a TV piece about prairie ghost towns for German TV.
We`ve been to Ardmore SD because we saw the article of National Geographic and found out that there was still one old lady living there: Laureen Hartman.
Can anybody tell, if she is still alive?

Many thanks
Wolf Truchsess

Wolf, I had planned on visiting Ardmore this year but sadly, those plans have now changed, well for this year. However, I will be making a trip out there next year. If no one responds to you, I wll make the effort to get an answer.
Rich
p.s. If you return, make sure you visit Hot Springs SD, and the Mammoth Site. Very interesting stuff there. www.mammothsite.com

I'm searching for a book about Ardmore, or that has Ardmore in the title by Calvin Inman. Anybody out there know the title or how I can get a copy for a fine old gentleman who grew up in that neck of the woods?

Thanks.

I am in ardmore regularly. If you have questions definitely ask me. The last 2 remaining ladies were transfered to nursing homes I want to say 5 years back. Every 2 years on labor day weekend I think it is there is an ardmore reunion. Ardmore may not look like much but it is a great place to get away. Rebbeca Was. Wish your family still lived out here along with many more families that have sold there ranches. There is a history that still lives in this old town that I which could be brought to life. Many buildings are getting demolitied but if your interested in visiting during the Reunion weekend or opening week of hunting which is usually 2 or 3 week in November it would be great.

Who owns all the abandoned cars?

I'm interested in any property or abandoned cars for sale.

I have an aunt who was born in Ardmore in the 20s. Her family was one of the originals in the area. The last name is Williams. I don't know if any of them have surviving relatives. I have many, many black and white photos of Ardmore, the people and buildings, railroad station, ranch life there, horse diving, etc., if anyone is interested.

John
I'm doing a documentary type show on abandon town across South Dakota, for South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB, our PBS channel). I'd like to visit with you or others who have some history to share or know some information about Ardmore. Feel free to email if you can, Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us.
I'd appreciate any help.
Thank you.

My husband's first teaching job was in Ardmore. We were there one year and it was a wonderful experience. We plan to visit this fall. Does anyone know if there is a reunion this year? If so when will it be? I would really like to find out!

Hello to all, I was born in Ardmore in 1937 and raised in Crawford, NE, spending summers on my grandparents (Henry) ranch east of Ardmore.
John, I am very interested in photos you mentioned. I have a few old photos, not much. Also, I'm interested in the book "I Remember Ardmore"; I think that's the name of it.
Please contact me by e mail: stanmitch@comcast.net
Thanks,
Stan Mitchell

I lived right across the road from the water tower. I enjoyed seeing the picture. I was so happy living there, back in the 50-60's. Anyone seeing this post and wants to contact me, it is fine.

I am trying to locate pictures of the O'Connell home in Ardmore. My grandfather grew up there and was one of two graduates of Ardmore high in '41. The family finally sold the property to someone who travels through there and wanted a place to store the RV they use. I have pictures of when he was home but it is just a door or a window in the background, I would love to be able to put some family names to homes and pictures posted. Thank you.

I am trying to locate pictures of the O'Connell home in Ardmore. My grandfather grew up there and was one of two graduates of Ardmore high in '41. The family finally sold the property to someone who travels through there and wanted a place to store the RV they use. I have pictures of when he was home but it is just a door or a window in the background, I would love to be able to put some family names to homes and pictures posted. Thank you.

Is there anyone, who has a copy of "I remember Ardmore" by Calvin Inman, that can make a copy for me. I know it is not in print. My mother-in-law was born in a boxcar near there in 1906 and her grandfather build the alter in St Aloysius Catholic church. I would also like a picture of the alter. He also built the alter in Immaculate Cenception Catholic Church in Montrose, Neb. I live in California and have visited Ardmore and Montrose.

My mamas home town. Letha Wasserburger.....I do believe my mom had a copy of this. I have it somewhere in storage. God only knows where it is at. Visiting next month to bury my moms youngest sister Hazel Wasserburger (Anderson) at Montrose Cemetery on September 29th, 2017

So sweet to see my grandmother's car, the rusted Chevy , I hope people keep in mind, This is still people's private Properties ,u can be prosecuted for theft and damages , Rick be smart. And leave your hard hat at home.

I also remember the day the census was taken ,I was at my grandmother's for the summer, most of the remaining residents were my family 8 of them ,Hermes, and probably the Hunters and the couple that owned the store. My grandma got a gun before she opened the door, poor guy. Still giggled then when I was 8 seeing his face.

Just drove through this town on our way back to Texas. Wish I had paid more attention while passing through. I only saw 3 people and was saddened at the deterioration of the buildings. My sister thought maybe a tornado had passed through so I decided to research and found this post and all your comments. I'm so sad about your little town. It must be hard on those of you that lived here or had relatives that did. Thanks for sharing your memories.

Hey to all! My family actually stays here during hunting season. We would love to have any old photos of the buildings or inside the properties that anyone would like to share, especially the old hotel. Feel free to email me at daniellehanson727@gmail.com would love to see the livelihood of the old town.

The last time I was in Ardmore was 1977 with my father, Terry. His mother (my grandmother), Katherine "Kay" O'Connell, and all his aunts and uncles were born there. Dennis O'Connell and his wife, Elizabeth Gayhart (my great-great grandparents), homesteaded in the Hat Creek area; both are buried in the Montrose Cemetery.

Roxanna: All those cars in this town are abandoned. If you have title to the Chev, then I suggest that you remove the car to another secured location. Just a thought. I have no interest in it. But any scrap dealer would and he/she isn't going to take the time to find the owners.
I hope to return this summer.

looking for history on priest house

Paused in Ardmore today as we have for years passing through by the old service Station, kitty corner from the Bank three doors west of sd 71 The safe is long gone, the safe deposit boxes still inplace with their vault door open. Adjoining buildings are collapsing into their basements.
The service station garage has completely fallen in the past year, last year it was rickety, still standing
bought a few rocks for 2 bits each from a self service table west of the station.
Ardmore shows signs of habitation. Grass is mowed in municipal areas, atleast 2 homes have good care.Many others are beyond repair. Someone loves and cares for this place
Funny thing, Golden West telephone has fiber optic cable placed through.

My mother and one of her brothers were born in Ardmore (1918 and 1921). My grandfather (Martin Lutes) was the electric generating plant operator at the time for the Refinite Company that was located west of town. His brother, my great uncle (William Lutes) I believe was the sheriff. I was told that the Refinite Company powered the town until at 10:00 pm when my grandfather shut down the system and lights were off for the night. I inherited my grandfather's foot-locker that had been kept by my uncle. Among family "treasures" I found a very well preserved 64 page advertising booklet re: the Refinite Company containing many commercially published pictures from when the Ardmore mine was active. Much of my family are now buried in Lusk (WY) and in Hot Springs (SD).

I am the last of the Lou O'Connell family.
My brothers were L.D.(LOUIS), Arthur, Tom. My sisters were Kay, Mar, And Betty.
I attended 1st and second grades there. Mrs.Anderson the teacher and second grade was Miss Kott ?spelling? My classmate was Jimmy Paulsen. He died of polio in the time of the before any type of vaccine had been developed.
. We moved from Ardmore to Hot Springs in 1942.
My grandparents were Dennis and Elizabeth O'Connell. I believe her maiden name was Gayhart.
My nephew and I still pay taxes on the lot that we own that is kitty-corner from the where the school house stood. I do remember the location of many of the buildings that have not stood the test of time. After the mineral plant closed the town started to die. The high school had closed and the students that were left
had to transfer to Hot Springs or I think Crawford.
I remember the train station,where the newspaper bundle was thrown of the train. After the brothers went off to WWII, my sisters did the deliveries as they had the paper route.
Many of the sir names mentioned sound very familiar.
Father B. was the priest and baptized me in the church there.
My brothers and sisters faithfully attended the reunions while were still living from all over the country. All had such good recall of their young lives there.

My husbands family is from in and around the Ardmore area. My MIL grew up in Ardmore. Her family parents were Sam Boschma and Viola Anderson. Her father owner a service station. He was an immigrant from Holland Her grand father on her mom’s side was David Anderson. >Anderson, David (1860-1950) — of Ardmore, Fall River County, S.Dak. Born in Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio, May 19, 1860. Democrat. Member of South Dakota state senate 42nd District, 1917-18. Died in 1950 (age about 90 years). Interment at Duck Creek Cemetery, Ardmore,S.Dak. His wife was Dora Moore, a school teacher. It is told that it was a twist of her names combined that the town of Ardmore was named after her.

https://books.google.com/books?id=YxM1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA730&lpg=PA730&dq=dora+moore+ardmore+sd&source=bl&ots=q_5Y2S8vNE&sig=4vdIwO4gt6PS9JnzoLpqD4zRuME&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiRtYaJ5-rcAhVRwlkKHZpOCVUQ6AEwEHoECAEQAQ#v=onepage&q=dora%20moore%20ardmore%20sd&f=false

Theresa, are you descendent of Mike O'Connell.?

Does anyone remember the year when the Catholic Church was torn down, or did it burn down? I have a picture of the alter.

I absolutely loved seeing the pictures. My Mother was raised on a ranch near by. She was married in the Catholic Church. We go visit the area as often as possible. We have often taken my Mom out so she can tell us about her childhood and all the family that lived there. My great grandparents all lived there and we often take photos of the houses they lived in.

Working on genealogy and came across family who lived in Ardmore. Albert Currey died there in 1976 and his son who died in an auto accident in 1977 near Hot Springs are both buried in the Duck Creek Cemetery. As late as 2000 (a big fire went through the area), I found newspaper articles interviewing 1/2 of the remaining population. Her name was Hermina Currey, widow of Albert. She was 82 at the time. So from an earlier post, it mentioned the 2 older women who lived there were removed to a nursing home. Does anyone know if Hermina is still living. She would be over 100 years old now. I cannot locate anything to prove she has passed away and at findagrave.org it does not show her being buried with Albert at Duck Creek cemetery. This is a great site!!!

My parents and two sisters Connie & Kathy and I lived in Ardmore right after I was born in 1959. My sister Kathy was born while we lived there. I believe they moved there in 1960. We also lived at Rumford I remember we lived in the two story house with the wrap around porch just down the road from the old Train Station where my mother, Twila worked for a short time. My Dad, Bob Miller was working for Cyril Cane. While we lived in the house there an indoor toilet was installed, but water was hauled in and stored in the cistern. Water that was hand pumped needed heated for baths and shaving. Wood was cut and hauled in to the heat stove in the living room. There was a Centennial Celebration where the men grew beards and my Mom had a close friend make her and my sisters and I matching dresses. I remember Harry Hartman's Store, the Train Station, the Catholic Church and also the American Legion where both of my Parents were officers. Irma Welch who carried mail for a year, Claude & Iris Plumb, Doris & Charles Catlett who owned the biggest 2-story house in Ardmore, Barbara Roller, Cyril & Gerty Cane and daughter Crystal were a few people I remember living in or close to Ardmore. If anyone has photos of any of these places they would be willing to share, I would love to have them. I also have photos of the house we lived in and of my parents and us girls taken during the centennial. You may contact me at camkay@tctwest.net. I've truly enjoyed reading the comments on this page.

We passed thru ther in 2007 while on a fall vacation in october
This town has always stuck in my memory.
Love reading all the comments.
I assume there was a mine of some sort ther that supported folks?
What was the population at its heyday?
Im thinking the winters were awful
We are from central ny state near Syracuse

Just got back from another visit. ( I'm visiting my daughter who lives in Hot Springs and moving to Rapid City. She recently got married.) Seems to me that there are more people living in Ardmore now than I remember. I noted a few new outdoor grills, and pickups with water tanks in the bed, for example. Anyway, the large brick building on the corner was taken down. I don't know why. Maybe someone here can shed light on that. There are also some more cars/vans that have shown up too.
Say Roxanna if you still read this page, the old chev is in dire straights. Engine gone, rusted out floor panels and many windows either removed or broken. Interior shot. You should advertise it. Just a thought. It's a typical car street rodders are looking for and with your history of the car makes it more interesting.
It was a great day so I took my time wondering around and taking pictures.
To answer Peter, there is currently a proposal for a uranium mine near Edgemont. I don't believe there was any other mine in the area. As to the winters, nothing like what we get in Minnesota (where I'm from). In south west SD, you can get a 6 inch snow fall it's gone in a few days.
This is going to be my last visit. I find towns like Ardmore interesting especially further west you go. Take care everyone.

Peter, After doing some research, I found the "Ardmore Manufacturing and Construction Company. It appears they were producing bricks which suggests there must have been a clay mine locally. Also, the Refinite Corporation has produced non-swelling bentonite from a pit at Ardmore. Further research is needed.

Google Earth show a shallow pit just west of the BNSF tracks. This pit suggests some kind of mining operation.

Never been there. Plan on going soon. I’m thinking of living there because of the solitude. Tired of the city. I want to check it out. Seems it could be a nice quiet way of life

I am the granddaughter of Lou & Margaretta Beatrice (Milek), O'Connell. My 10 brothers & sisters & I are the children of Margaretta O'Connell KUHL. I was last in Ardmore in 2012. I was born in Lincoln, NE in 1953. I live in Lincoln and am in frequent contact with my Aunt Theresa O'Connell SCHURR, (California). Anyone may contact me. Aunt Theresa left a previous comment.

Aunt Theresa O'Connell SCHURR, born June 2 1935, tells me that Michael (Mike), O'Connell may have been a nephew of her father Louis (Lou). He would be a 1st cousin to her. She said she never met him.
My middle name, Lou is from my Grandfather Lou. I never met my mother's father. He passed from an enlarged heart, age 48, in Hot Springs in 1944. My mother, Margaretta, 5th of originally 10 O'Connell children, was only 18. We Kuhl children were raised in Ashland, NE. My mother passed away in Dec 2004.

Constance, Louis O'Connell was my grandfather. Where was their original home located. They say kitty corner but I'm not sure what corner where. I was wondering if any of the house is left. Aunt Theresa said she is paying taxes on property, I know the siblings sold the property, I didn't realize Aunt Theresa bought it, which I'm glad for. Do you know where the house was, I would love to see pictures.

I was captivated with the community of Ardmore from my very first visit in 1978 when the Hartman General Store still sold groceries, hardware, postage stamps and Schlitz beer, as well as thousands of other sundry items.I still visit the community five or six times each year, no matter the season, parking in front of the old American Legion and walking the length of Dakota Avenue. The townsite is such a sheltering oasis! During the pandemic I put together a book chronicling the history of Ardmore. I have been selling it to former residents the past six months. If anyone is interested, I have a few copies left. It is a hardcover book with about 120 photographs and approximately 30,000 words. Much of the information was gleaned from vintage area newspapers. The title of the book is “Ardmore, South Dakota 57715: A Pictorial History.” By sharing memories and photos, I hope to keep the little community alive. If you would happen to be interested in the book or would like more information, you can email me at b735198@gmail.com.

Today I looked at a piece of property for sale Oct 10.2021 but it sold and I am still looking in this area, concerning about lack of water though but very interesting, I would like more history on this & surrounding areas! And if anyone has a small chunk of land we could park our mobile home on, would be appreciated!

A couple of years ago, I made another trip to town to discover that one of the downtown buildings was torn down. does anyone know of the reason??

I was down in Ardmore yesterday -- many of the buildings are almost gone.
Richard Holte: The brick building on the main corner was unsafe -- the floor had rotted through to the basement, and I think it was torn down to keep visitors from injuring themselves. The buildings on the other side are gone as well, including the bank with its vault.
Someone is definitely paying attention to the remaining buildings and stenciling "No Trespassing" signs on them. The Mercedes that sat across from the water tower is gone now, as are a couple of the Hudsons that sat in the big lot near the yellow house. I remember that there was an old yellow chair sitting on the porch there... someone made off with it after the person living there died.
I stop by every few years to document the changes. Ardmore is a special place. I sat next to a man at lunch yesterday, whose family had a ranch there years past, and it sparked another photographic trip to see what still remains.

Thanks James for all the great info. I too have noticed a few changes. I've only been there a few times. To take down those buildings and haul away the remains must have cost someone money. But I agree, safety first every time. Someone is getting those cars. I remember the Hudsons. There are a couple of Rambler tu-doors that would make great sleepers (hot rods). One was a rust brown with a white top and the other was blue. There is a 39 Chev that is falling apart slowly. Too bad because it too is a car that is popular for a street rod project.
Because my oldest daughter and her family live in Rapid city, I do visit often. I live in Minnesota. The next time I'm there, I'll visit Ardmore again.

I drove thru town today. Several trailers are either actively occupied or perhaps occupied during hunting or harvest season. Not much else left that is habitable. No businesses. Ardmore is one of many settlements in South Dakota that served their intended purpose, produced good citizens who moved on, then fell into disuse. Not creepy. Not sad. Just the way of life of great pioneers.

Mr. Lang, I couldn't have said it any better!

I was out in South Dakota last week and made my final trip to Ardmore. I crossed the BNSF rail line and found a pit where clay had been mined for the brick operation that was once near by. The pit was large and almost 30 feet deep. You can see it also via Google Earth.
Not much else going on in town. I did notice someone is using a stencil to mark buildings with a no trespassing note in white paint.
Another thing I found was new barb wire that has been placed to block off entry to the water tower and pump building. It appears that the barb wire was placed by a rancher because of the cattle in the area.
Finally, the 39 Chev only has a few parts one could salvage. Deterioration continues. It also appears that more glass is gone too. Not much else regarding other cars.
On the way back to Rapid City, I went through Provo. Didn't stop to look around. That's the plan on my next visit which might be in 2023.