Little Art City on the Prairie: Impressions of Faulkton South Dakota

Written by I. Reid, Gary L. Wilhelm, and Carolyn Wilhelm, Cover Illustrator Pieter Els

Little Art City on the Prairie describes the beauty of the prairie and the loveliness of the area. The location inspired the main author, I. Reid. Faulkton is also known as Carousel City. Faulkton is an example of a city that refused to merely exist (perhaps becoming obsolete), and turned to its arts council for ideas. Now the little city is known as an art town. The Faulkton Area Economic Development Corporation is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to improving the economic health of the area. In a stroke of luck, they were able to hire Australian artist Guido Van Helten to add huge art to the local grain elevator. They are doing a superb job at making the town an attraction and also enjoyable to residents.

This story is based on a trip to the author’s father’s hometown in South Dakota after many years’ absence. The visit turned into a writing piece which then became this book. The beauty of the prairie and the loveliness of the area inspired the authors. Available in paperback or for Kindle on Amazon

Australian artist Guido Van Helten added the huge art to the local grain elevator.

The town is now full of murals and color to entertain visitors who most certainly will want to drive around town. It is a great town for taking selfies.

The Pickler Mansion is in Faulkton, SD, Gary Wilhelm’s hometown. This “pink” mansion is famous for several reasons, including the fact famous people visited the home. Susan B. Anthony was one such visitor!

The Pickler Mansion was donated to the town. Everything is original to the home as the owners intended for it to become a museum.

The town’s one-room schoolhouse is part of the Pickler Mansion museum experience.

The interior of the one-room-schoolhouse shows educational classrooms of long ago.

Thank you for reading! This book is available on Amazon.

Below please see more information about the Pickler Mansion and efforts by the historical society to keep it open to the public.

Thank you for reading!