Tag: South Dakota

According to ehuzhou, Codington County, South Dakota is a county located in the northeastern part of the state. It was established in 1883 and named after William Codington, a prominent politician and businessman who served as South Dakota’s first governor. As of 2020, the county had an estimated population of 24,521 people. The earliest inhabitants of Codington County were Native American tribes such as the Sioux, Yankton Sioux, and Arikara. Europeans began to settle in the area in the late 1800s, attracted by its fertile soil and abundant wildlife. The settlement of Watertown was established in 1879 and quickly became an important hub for trade and commerce. Throughout its history, Codington County has been largely agricultural. The primary crops grown include wheat, corn, soybeans, oats, barley and hay. Dairy farming is also common throughout the county with numerous farms producing cheese and other dairy products. In recent years there has been a shift towards more diversified farming operations including fruit orchards and vineyards. The economy of Codington County has also diversified to include other industries such as manufacturing and retail trade. Major employers include 3M Corporation which operates a plant near Watertown; Avera McKennan Hospital which employs over 2000 people; Lake Area Technical Institute which provides vocational training programs; and several large companies such as John Deere & Co., Tyson Foods Inc., Walmart Stores Inc., Amazon Fulfillment Services Inc., US Foods Inc., among others. Codington County is home to several parks including Bramble Park Zoo which features over 200 animals from around the world; Lake Kampeska which offers fishing opportunities; Roy Lake State Park with its sandy beaches; Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge with its hiking trails; and many more outdoor recreation areas for visitors to enjoy nature at its best. The town of Watertown hosts several annual festivals including Oktoberfest on Main Street every October for beer lovers; Christmas on Main Street each December featuring holiday-themed activities such as caroling; Fourth of July festivities with fireworks displays at Bramble Park Zoo; plus many more events throughout the year that bring visitors from all over South Dakota to experience Codington County’s unique culture firsthand. Codington County is served by the Codington County School District, which consists of three school districts. The Watertown School District, which serves the city of Watertown and most of Codington County, enrolls over 4,000 students in grades K-12. It includes two high schools – Watertown High School and Washington High School – as well as six elementary schools and two middle schools. The district is dedicated to providing a quality education for all students and offers a wide range of academic opportunities including Advanced Placement classes, career and technical education programs, college credit classes, special education services and more. The Deuel School District serves the southeastern area of Codington County with three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school – Deuel High School. This district provides various educational experiences from pre-K through grade 12 including college preparation courses such as dual enrollment classes with local universities. Finally, the Wilmot School District covers the northern portion of Codington County with two elementary schools and one high school – Wilmot High School. The district focuses on preparing students for college or career readiness through its rigorous curriculum that includes honors classes in core subjects such as mathematics and science. Additionally, it offers music programs such as band and choir as well as sports teams in football, basketball and baseball at both the middle school and high school level. Overall, Codington County is served by three excellent public school districts that provide diverse educational experiences for its students from pre-K through grade 12 that prepare them for success in their future endeavors. Check Medicinelearners to learn more about South Dakota medical schools.