The town of Tulare is located on Highway 281 approximately 36 miles northwest of Huron and 9 miles south of Redfield. The town of Tulare grew from a small village to a flourishing trade center that became incorporated as a town in 1916. The southeast quarter of Sec 27, Twp 115, Range 64 was originally homesteaded by Herman Maron, who was a single man at that time, December 1882.
Charles Prior, who was a land developer of Hennepin County, MN, purchasd the land on August 14, 1883. He had it surveyed and platted the town on September 14, 1883. This site was chosen because this is where the railroad had to take on coal and water.
The story goes Mr. Prior was riding the train with two men who were entertaining the passengers with their tall tales. They were so amusing that by the time they reached the town site he decided to call it "Tulare" after the "two liars." Others thought it was named after the "Tulle" weed that grows in the swamp, or after an Indian chief.
The railroad has played a very important part in the history of Tulare. They built a water tower with a windmill that pumped the water into the tower.
With so many settlers coming through, they built a depot just south of the road that goes through town. For a long time there were four passenger trains a day, two going each way. Those who had business in Redfield, Aberdeen or Mitchell would ride the train there in the morning and return late at night. With four trains coming in every day, there was always mail and freight to be hauled.
Large stock yards were built just south of main street. There were wheat houses built beside the railroad tracks so farmers could bring their grain to town and ship it to market. They soon built elevators.
The first store in town was built on the lot where McCoy Store stood for years and it hosted the first post office. It was sold in 1891 and the building was moved to the south part of town. A new building was built that housed a new store, post office and switchboard.
The people who manned the switchboard for so many years had hearts of gold and nothing could replace the dedication that they had for their community. If anyone was sick or needed help, they got the calls through one way or another. When there was an emergency a general ring went out on the line and everyone listened and responded to whatever the need may have been. If your clock stopped you could always call central for the time.
In 1910 the South Dakota State Bank was built. It was the first bank in town and was located in the building where the post office is now. In 1932 the bank closed.
The Tulare Times Journal was the first newspaper in Tulare, followed by the Tulare Reporter in 1916.
Tulare Auto Company was in business from 1908 through 1912. It is presumed, but not documented, that a hardware store was one of the earliest retail businesses in Tulare. The Tulare Auto Company was part of the Folgelsong Hardware.
A letter on file from 1912 indicated that the Tulare Auto Company had plans to expand to Redfield, which would help in the distribuiton of cars to their franchised counties of Hand, Faulk, Beadle and Spink.
In 1908 a two story structure was built that had a large open room upstairs which was used for dances, movies, plays, basktball games and club meetings. Lawrence Welk would come and play for some of the dances.
The history of the churches in the Tulare area dates back as far as 1883. You can read about this history HERE.
The first school in Tulare appears to have been established in 1889. The school was of the one-room type and was also used as the Methodist Church. In 1912 a brick two-story, four-room school was erected on the site of the present high school. The ninth grade was added to the system that year and the 10th grade the following year. The high school continued to operate as a two year system until 1920 when it developed into a four year high school. Tulare became the first community with a four year high school. Withstanding tornadoes, fire and rebuilding, the school has progressed to what it is today.