[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 82 (Monday, June 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6815-S6816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE TOWN OF WAUBAY, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to publicly recognize 
the 125th anniversary of the founding of the city of Waubay, South 
Dakota. On July 2, 2005, Waubay citizens look back on their city's 
proud past and look forward to a promising future.
  Platted on November 16, 1880, the community was first known as 
Station #50 until later that year, when crew members of the Milwaukee 
Railroad Company named it Blue Lake. It was not until 1885 that the 
town took on its current name of Waubay, meaning ``Nesting place of the 
birds,'' given by the Sioux Indians. One hundred twenty five years 
later, Waubay thrives as the oldest city in Day County.
  Waubay, like many South Dakota towns and communities, got its start 
with the help of the railroad. Although the rail tracks that pass 
through the town ran as far as Bristol and were ready for travel in 
1880, the first train to ever pass through Waubay didn't arrive until 
May, 1881. A severe blizzard hit the region in October of 1880, and the 
snow and subsequent run-off in the spring rendered the rail line 
impassable.
  The town, which was incorporated as a village in 1894 and as a city 
in 1920, grew rapidly in its early years. Station #50 began with only 
50 residents, yet

[[Page S6816]]

Waubay swelled to a population of 1,007 in 1925; currently, about 625 
South Dakotans live in the town. By the early 1900s, the community 
boasted a general store, a lumber yard, a corner drug store, a livery 
barn, a railroad depot, several coal sheds, the Waubay Clipper, The 
Advocate, a power company, several banks, a creamery, several grain 
elevators, a school, and many stores.
  In May of 1890, the Waubay Clipper, owned by Charles W. Stafford and 
his son, published the paper's first issue. It was the only newspaper 
in town for two decades, until The Advocate began under the direction 
of Major Maynard in 1910. However, in December 1917, the Clipper 
purchased The Advocate and merged the two, again returning the 
Clipper's status as Waubay's sole news publication. Despite management 
turnover over the years, Waubay residents still rely on the Clipper for 
quality and accurate reporting on local events 115 years later.
  Prior to 1910, most Waubay residents lacked the convenience of 
electricity. However, in 1884, officials partitioned the town into 
wards, which Roy Thompson used to his advantage in 1900 when he devised 
a lighting system utilizing windmill power. In 1910, Dr. Park Jenkins, 
a prominent Waubay resident, established an electricity plant in back 
of the Yellowstone Garage. Although the plant was quite successful 
during the early portion of the 20th century, the Ottertail Power 
Company ultimately became the primary service provider for Waubay, and 
still maintains that role to this day.
  Waubay was home to South Dakota's State Board of Health in the early 
1900s. Headed by Dr. Park Jenkins, who in 1913 was appointed Board 
Superintendent, the office employed 22 people at its peak. The board 
moved to Pierre, SD in 1933.
  Today, Waubay is a multicultural community that includes many 
residents of Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, as well as those of European 
descent. It is also home to Waubay National Wildlife Refuge, managed by 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Waubay's location near several area 
lakes makes it a prime location for fishermen. Blue Dog State Fish 
Hatchery is just one mile north of Waubay, producing walleyes, 
northerns, perch, bass, bluegills, crappies, and trout.
  In the twelve and a half decades since its founding, Waubay's 
innovative and resourceful residents have proven their ability to 
thrive as a community. It is with great pleasure that it share with my 
colleagues the admirable, pioneer spirit still present in these 
wonderful South Dakotans, as they celebrate Waubay's 125th anniversary 
on July 2, 2005.

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