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About Groton

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY PROFILE
Groton, South Dakota
Population: 1356 (2000 Census)

Location: Northeast South Dakota, Jct. of SD 37 & US 12

City Government: Mayor-Council

Zoning: Planning and Zoning Commission

Groton is more than 100 years old and has successfully weathered the test of time. The town prospered along the tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. Groton, like many other prairie railroad stations, was named after one of the New England towns familiar to railroad officials. In this case, Groton received its name from Groton, Mass. The town was platted and registered in 1881, even though settlement of the area began much earlier. Groton faced the challenges of changing times. It has survived and faces the future with positive and progressive attitude.

An active group of 28 individuals formed the Groton Development Partnership. The group purchased a 135-acre tract of land for economic development purposes. The Groton Chamber of Commerce sponsors many activities annually.
Besides its link to both state and federal highways, Groton is served by the Burlington Northern Railroad. Bus and truck transportation services are available. An airport is available in Aberdeen, just 20 minutes west of Groton.

The city offers educational, cultural and recreational opportunities to its residents, both young and old. For the young, a public school system provides a solid education with about 550 students enrolled in K-12. The Groton Community Library and Community Center provide cultural enrichment to the community. Just minutes away is the Granary Gallery, which offers art and music programs. A 60-bed nursing home provides care for those who can no longer live alone. Groton has retirement housing for senior citizens and low-income housing is available for those who qualify.
 

There are six churches within the community:
• Emmanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA)
• First Presbyterian Church
• Groton Christian and Missionary Alliance Church
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
• St. John's Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)
• United Methodist Church

For those interested in joining a civic group, Groton has the following to offer:
• Groton Booster Club
• Groton Garden Club
• Kiwanis Club
• Lions Club
• Groton Chamber

GROTON CITY PARK
In the center of the city is a square block city park. The park has playground equipment and a canopy with several picnic tables under it. It also has a walking path which several residents use throughout the day.

GRANARY RURAL CULTURAL CENTER
The Granary Rural Cultural Center is a unique place for people to celebrate the culture and art of the Dakotas. The Granary Campus consists of the Memorial Gallery, five display rooms set in a restored wooden granary; Putney Town Hall, a multi-use center moved to the site in September 1996; and a large wooden gazebo for outdoor activities. The facilities situated in rural Groton, South Dakota, sits on 2.3 acres of parkland amid shelter belts and corn and wheat fields, in the heart of the fertile James River Valley. Located nearby is the site of the old Yorkville trading post, and Tacoma Park, once the region's favorite summer gathering place.

The Granary, a non-profit organization, hosts two major festivals annually. The All Dakota High School Fine Arts Exhibition in May of each year, celebrates the achievements of junior and senior high students from North and South Dakota. Young artists gather for intensive workshops, entertainment, awards and public art exhibition. The All Dakota Fine Arts Festival is in June of each year, displays the best in original art produced by regional visual artists. Visitors see artists doing work-in-progress, view a professional art exhibition, and be entertained in a family-oriented atmosphere. Admission to the public exhibition is $3 for adults and $2 for school students. Food and refreshments are served on the grounds.

For more information, write:
GRANARY RURAL CULTURAL CENTER
40261 128th St.
Groton, SD 57445

GROTON BASEBALL COMPLEX
Groton has one of the nicest baseball complexes in the state. It features one main field and two smaller fields. Groton has t-ball, pee wee and midget baseball teams, women's softball, adult softball, a teener team, American Legion team and Amateur team.

CARNIVAL OF SILVER SKATES
Groton's Carnival of Silver Skates was started in 1938. Back then, it was a mid-winter activity featuring a hockey game between two Aberdeen teams -- the Canuks and Esquimox. There was the crowning of a carnival queen, there were ice races and figure skating exhibition by Aberdeen skaters. Since then, it has blossomed into a local event with at least 100 young skaters participating each year. Parents put much time into the annual event, making costumes and getting everything ready. The young snowflakes and former skaters make it an event that helps to break up the winter. It is indeed a pride and joy of Groton as it is the longest running amateur ice skating show in the United States.