Sanborn Maps

In Sanborn Maps, I was able to discover a lot of history regarding Dell Rapids. I chose November 1893. Back in 1893 the street names were different. The numbered streets were names and LaDelle was LaBelle. The main street which is now 4th Street was named Pearl. I located the Dell Rapids Opera House which is still in use today. In fact, it has just been newly renovated back to the original design (or as close as could be replicated). The Dell Rapids Public School was located where the Public Elementary School is located today. There is a historical plaque commemorating the original school at the location.

I continued to search and chose 1911. I found all of the names for the now numbered streets. I also found the Baptist Church that is currently being used as the Baptist Church in Dell Rapids.On the 1911 map I was also able to locate the Public Library which is still the library in Dell Rapids today. I then searched 1927 and found that at some point between 1911 and 1927 the named east/west streets had been changed to numbered streets. It was during that time that LaBelle was changed to LaDelle.

This another database that can be very addicting. You find more and more reasons to research just a little more. Patrons will love using this database.