[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5781-S5782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BIG STONE CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the 125th 
anniversary of Big Stone City. This picturesque town has made it 125 
years, and I am proud to represent them.
  Big Stone City is bordered by Big Stone Lake in South Dakota and the 
State of Minnesota. Originally the site of an Indian village called 
Inkpa, the first settlers arrived in 1871. In 1875, this new town, then 
called Inkpa City, was chosen for a post office. Another small town, 
Geneva, was also formed during that time, located to the northeast of 
Inkpa City. In 1885, the two

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towns were consolidated and Big Stone City was incorporated.
  Religion was an integral part of the founding of Big Stone City. The 
first sermon was preached in 1879, before the town had even been 
incorporated. The German Evangelical Church was built in 1880, with at 
least three additional churches following in the next 3 years. The 
first mass in the territory was celebrated in Big Stone City. The first 
school was opened in 1880, with a charge of $1 per student for each 
month. In 1900, the school was upgraded from a small prairie school to 
a much larger brick building. In 1913, plans were made to run the 
Milwaukee Railroad through Big Stone City. With industries of brick 
manufacturing, limestone, food canning, and a creamery, Big Stone City 
has a unique and varied past.
  Residents of Big Stone City joined together July 9 to 11, 2010, to 
honor their historic milestone with a weekend full of festivities. The 
town celebrated with dances, a chili cookoff, an all-school reunion, a 
parade, and more. I am proud to recognize Big Stone City on this 
achievement, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for 
this great South Dakota community.

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