McPherson County South Dakota

Largest City: Eureka

County Seat: Leola

Population: 2,904

Founded: 1873

Size: 1,137 sq. miles

About McPherson County:

McPherson County, created in 1873 and organized in 1885, was named for Brigadier General James B. McPherson, one of the outstanding Union officers of the Civil War. 

McPherson County, located in the north central portion of South Dakota boasts a strong ethnic heritage of Germans from Russia. The area’s German-Russian culture can be found in the communities of Eureka, Leola, Long Lake, Wetonka and Hillsview.

Visitors learn the story of the area’s rich heritage at the Eureka Pioneer Museum located along J Avenue in Eureka. The strong German-Russian culture is depicted through exhibits such as military memorabilia, furniture, domestic items, and antique farm machinery.

Each year, during the third weekend in September, Eureka hosts Schmeckfest. The weekend is full of festive events celebrating the county's beginnings. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy authentic German food and endless entertainment. 

In odd-numbered years, Leola hosts Rhubarb Days.  Leola is known as the “Rhubarb Capital of the World,” and celebrates bi-annually.  In July of 2009, Leola will celebrate its quasquicentennial (125th anniversary).  In September, the annual Leola Thrashing Bee takes place. 

Healthy wildlife is another aspect of McPherson County that draws much attention.   Some of the best pheasant and waterfowl hunting in South Dakota can be found in the region, which attracts many outdoorsmen each year.  In addition, Lake Eureka and the nearby Missouri River provide ample opportunities for fishing, camping and other popular water activities.  Outdoorsmen will also enjoy the Eureka Campground, located in the Eureka park and lake area. 

Tim’s Work in McPhearson County

Tim Improves Energy Standards

In October 2008, Tim announced that Basin Electric Power Cooperative would receive a $325 million low-interest federal loan to continue the emissions control project at the Leland Olds Station near Stanton, North Dakota.  The facility supplies power to communities throughout northeastern South Dakota, including McPherson County. 

Tim Secures Agriculture Research Funds

In 2008, Tim secured $378,000 in research funding to study blackbird damage to crops.   With an estimated 70 million blackbirds that cross through the prairie wetlands on an annual basis, crop damage as a result of blackbird feeding can cause significant losses for individual farmers.  Tim’s funding is helping producers to better anticipate blackbird damage from year to year.

Tim Improves Health Care

In September 2005, Tim announced that Eureka Community Benevolent Hospital Association would receive a $50,000 grant to purchase radiology and imaging technology.  The funding was provided by USDA Rural Development.

Tim Expands Business Opportunities

In August 2005, Tim announced that Eureka Community Development would receive a $99,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to promote small business growth and economic development in the local area. The money helped finance construction of a building that small businesses can lease. 

Tim Supports Local Firefighters

In March 2005, Tim announced that Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department would receive a $21,150 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA.  The funding was used to upgrade the community’s firefighting vehicles.

In September 2002, you announced that the Eureka Fire Department would receive a $30,672 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA.  That funding was used to upgrade operations and improve fire safety.

Tim Secures Funding for Juvenile Justice

In 2002, Tim secured $300,000 for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of South Dakota to establish a coordinated juvenile arrest tracking system.  The funding, approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, allowed the Fifth Judicial Circuit to make fully informed decisions about intervention and sentencing by acquiring a unified computerized system to track juvenile crime.  The system allowed the arrest of a young person in one jurisdiction to be reliably checked in other jurisdictions.