Alcester Union & Hudsonite Online

PIERRE – The Nora Store in the Alcester vicinity has been included as one of nine new South Dakota properties in the National Register of Historic Places, according to the South Dakota State Historical Society.

The National Register is the official federal list of properties identified as important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. The State Historic Preservation Office of the State Historical Society works in conjunction with the National Park Service, which oversees the National Register program.

"South Dakota's history is rich in American Indian culture, pioneer life and change," said Jay D. Vogt, state historic preservation officer and director of the State Historical Society. "Properties listed in the National Register are important for their role in South Dakota's culture, heritage and history. And when properties get listed, it shows that their owners take pride in their role in preserving that culture, heritage and history."

The town of Nora was established in 1871 about 10 miles from present day Alcester. The Nora Store, located on 475th Avenue just south of County Road 15, was built in 1907 after a fire destroyed the original store and served as a general store and an automobile repair shop up to the 1950s. It is significant architecturally as a good example of early wood-frame commercial buildings constructed in rural South Dakota in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Although the Nora Store hasn't operated as any type of retail store for several decades, the building still serves as a gathering place for many of the local people. The building is open on special occasions so visitors can listen to pipe organ music and simply reminisce about old times in Nora.

Other newly listed properties include the Pioneer Park Bandshell, Brookings; the Stark and Blanch Garage, Arlington; the Mack Jones Lustron House, Miller; the L&A Baking Company, Sioux Falls; the Colton House, Vermillion; the Wagner House, Wagner vicinity; the Hoffman House, Yankton; and the Covered Wagon Resort, Piedmont.

Buildings, sites, structures and objects at least 50 years old possessing historical significance may qualify for the National Register, according to Vogt. Properties must also maintain their historic location, design, materials and association. Listing in the National Register does not place any limitations on private property owners by the federal government.

For more information on the National Register or other historic preservation programs, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at the Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2217; telephone (605) 773-3458 or website www.sdhistory.org HP/histpres.htm.

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