Norway in America - South DakotaPost office names in USA and Canada with Norwegian origin.Research by Hallvard Slettebø and Dag Henriksbø. This page was updated 9 October 2024. |
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Rapidly increasing number of land-hungry Norwegian migrants of the seventies and eighties came to the apparently endless reaches of the Dakota prairies. According to the 1860 Census there were 129 Norwegians in South Dakota. That changed fast; in 1880 one-tenth of the population was Norwegian, and in 1889 one-third of the population were Norwegians.
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| Bergen, SD (1) |
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Bergen, post office in Yankton Co., SD, probably in Volin Twp., established 1868 with Iver Pedersen Bagstad as postmaster (born 1843 Øyer, Oppland Norway). Norwegian settlers came to this are from 1859 when Dakota Territory was opened, including Ole Bottolfsen and others from around Bergen, Norway. Discontinued 1869 with mail to Marindal. Later, Iver Bagstad was postmaster at Gayville in this county for 17 years.
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| Bergen, SD (2) |
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Bergen, post office in Codington Co., SD. Probably named for Bergen, Norway. The post office was established 1901 with Martin Amdahl postmaster (born 1865 Selbu, Norway). Discontinued 1906, superseded by R.D. from South Shore.
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| Blinsmon, SD |
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Blinsmon. Post office in Moody Co., SD. The post office was established 1876 with Olof Olson as postmaster, and named for a tenant farm in Hemsedal, Norway. Discontinued 1893 with mail to Trent.
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| Blom, SD |
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Blom, township in Deuel Co., SD. This was almost exclusively a Norwegian community. The post office was established 1879 with Mathias E. Quickstad as postmaster (born 1853 Nedre Kvikstad, Østre Toten, Norway). Changed name to Toronto 1885. The post office is still in operation. The population was 212 at the 2010 census.
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| Brandt, SD |
Brandt is a town in Deuel Co., SD. It was named for Realf Ottesen Brandt (1859-1927) an American Lutheran minister who was born in Rock River, Wisconsin, both parents being immigrants from Norway. His father came from Løken, Slidre and his mother from Sande, Vestfold. Realf Brandt's ancestors came to Norway from Denmark in the early 1700's. The Brandt, SD post office opened in 1887 with Andrew Helgeson as postmaster and it is still in operation. The population peaked at 299 in 1920, down to 107 at the 2010 census. Brandt R.F.D. was established 1904.
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| Bratsberg, SD |
Bratsberg, post office in Harding Co., SD. Established 1911 with Ole A. Bratsberg postmaster, and named for the postmaster who was born 1837 in Norway. Discontinued 1921 with mail to Ralph.
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| Brudvig, SD |
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Brudvig, post office in Yankton Co., SD. Established 1892 with Nels N. Brudvig postmaster, and named for him; he was born in Norway. Discontinued 1894 with mail to Jamesville.
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| Egeland, SD |
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Egeland, townahip in Clark Co. (1881-1885) / Day Co. (from 1885), SD, named for Bertinius H. Egeland, born 1851 to Norwegian immigrant parents (name from Bjerkreim, Norway). The post office was established 1881 with Bert. H. Egeland as postmaster. John H. Egeland postmaster from 1888. Changed name to Strand 1889 when Christopher Syverson took over as postmaster. See Strand, SD.
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| Egge, SD |
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Egge, post office in Lake Co., SD. Established 1882 with Andrew H. Eggebratten as postmaster and naming the post office for himself. He was born 1845 in Gran, Oppland, Norway. The post office discontinued 1903 with mail to Volga.
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| Ellingson, SD |
Ellingson is a ghost town in Perkins Co., SD. It was named for postmaster Andrew C. Ellingson, born 1886 in Iowa to Norwegian immigrant parents. The Ellingson, SD post office was established 1908 in Butte Co., to Harding Co., later 1908, closed 1954 with mail to Hettinger.
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| Fairpoint, SD |
Fairpoint, post office in Meade Co., SD, was given the name by Osmund T. Sevareid, an early settler and a land commissioner, because it was a name found only once in the U.S. post office directory. Established 1909 with Osmund T. Sevareid as postmaster (born 1864 in Minnesota to Norwegian immigrant parents). Rural branch of Sturgis 1966 and discontinued 1978.
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| Fladmoe, SD |
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Fladmoe, post office in Harding Co., SD, established 1913 and named for postmaster Adolph P. Fladmoe, born 1882 in Norway. Discontinued 1924 with mail to Buffalo.
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| Freya, SD |
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Freya, post office in Turner Co., SD. Established 1881 with Andrew P. Meyer postmaster. Freya was the Norse goddess of love. Discontinued 1892 with mail to Danville.
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| Gill, SD |
Gill is a ghost town in Harding Co., SD. The town derived its name from postmaster Carl Mortenson Gilberg, immigrant from Fåberg, Norway. The Gill, SD post office opened 1912 and closed 1945 with mail to Sorum.
 
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| Gustave, SD |
Gustave, farm post office established 1899 in Butte Co., SD, to Harding Co. 1908. The proposed p.o. name was Julia, but Gustave was selected, named for Gustave Sorenson, born in Norway 1873, son of Andrew Sorenson on whose farm the post office was established, with Ancher N. Sorenson postmaster. Discontinued 1954 with mail to Camp Crook.
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| Hagan, SD |
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Hagan, post office in Edmunds Co., SD. Established 1904 and named for postmaster Steen Hagan, born 1855 in Norway. Discontinued 1905 with mail to Albion.
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| Hammer, SD |
Hammer is a community in Roberts Co., SD. It was named after the Norwegian immigrants Gunder and Iver Hammer, the original owners of the town site. The Hammer, SD post office was established 1915 with Alexander O. Johnsen as postmaster. A fancy cancel with the shape of a hammer is often applied to mail from Hammer, SD. The post office closed 1973 with mail to New Effington. The population was 76 in 2010.
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| Hanse, SD |
Hanse, post office in Day Co., SD, opened 1906 and named for postmaster Ole Hanse, immigrant from Norway. Discontinued 1911 with mail to Roslyn. NFT 8/2016.
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| Helgen, SD |
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Helgen, post office in Codington Co., SD. Established 1891 with Hans Arneson as first postmaster. Named for Helgen in Telemark, Norway. Discontinued 1908, superseded by R.D. from Florence.
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| Herreid, SD |
Herreid is a city in Campbell Co., SD. Herreid was laid out in 1901, and named after Charles N. Herreid, fourth Governor of South Dakota. Charles Herreid was born in Madison, Wisconsin to Norwegian immigrant parents, the name is from Hereid in Hardanger, Norway. The Herreid, SD post office opened 1901 with Charles H. Mewing first postmaster and it is still in operation. The population peaked at 767 in 1960, down to 438 at the 2010 census.
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| Hetland, SD |
Hetland is a town in Kingsbury Co., SD. Founded 1879 and named for John (Jonas) Mikal K. Hetland, the first homesteader in that section. He had been murdered the year before on his way from Sioux Falls to his homestead. He was born 1855 at Øvre Hetland, Helleland, Norway. The Hetland, SD post office operated 1888-2002 with Isaac H. West first postmaster. The population peaked at 250 in 1930, down to 46 in 2010.
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| Hilmoe, SD |
Hilmoe, township in Lyman Co., SD. The settlement became known as "Little Norway". At the instigation of Jorgen J. Boe and Nels Fosness, the church, school, post office, general store and township were given the name of "Hilmoe" as a tribute to the patriarch of the community, Peter J. Hilmoe who had arrived here from Norway in 1883. The Hilmoe, SD post office operated from 1904 with Jorgen J. Boe as the only postmaster, discontinued 1913 with mail to Presho. NFT 7/2021.
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| Huseboe, SD |
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Huseboe, ghost town in Corson Co., SD. ot was named for postmaster John O. Huseboe, born 1866 in Norway. The post office was stablished 1911 and discontinued 1914 with mail to Isabel.
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| Lake Norden, SD |
The Dolph post office in Hamlin Co., SD was established 1895 with storekeeper Gustav A. S. Arneson as postmaster. He was succeeded 1895 by Edward N. Johnson and 1898 by Andrew N. Johnson. When the railroad established Lake Norden in 1907 the store and post office were moved there, with name-change from Dolph to Norden in 1907. Norden drew its name from the nearby Lake Norden. The lake was called Lake Nord (North) by early Scandinavian settlers and the name was later changed to its present form. Again in 1912 the post office changed name to Lake Norden, still with Andrew N. Johnson postmaster. The post office is still in operation.
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| Leir, SD |
Leir, post office in Lyman Co., SD (the area is now in Jones Co.). Operated from 1907, Susie L. Leir born 1873 in Norway was the only postmaster. Named for the postmaster or her family. Discontinued 1911, superseded by R.D. from Draper.
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| Lohre, SD |
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Lohre, post office in Roberts Co., SD. Established 1901 and named for Ole O. Lohre, first postmaster. He was born 1850 in Norway, the family name is Løhre. Discontinued 1908 with mail to Sisseton.
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| Marindal, SD / Marindahl, SD |
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Marindal / Marindahl, post office and township in Lincoln Co., SD, to Yankton Co., 1872. The post office took the name of the township, which was named for Norwegian immigrant C. P. Marindahl (from Mariendal, Ringsaker, Norway). Established 1869 as Marindal with Ole C. Peterson as postmaster. Discontinued 1878, re-established 1879 as Marindahl. Discontinued 1905, superseded by R.D. from Volin.
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| Moe, SD |
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Moe, post office in Lincoln Co., SD. Named for Hans Moe, a settler from Norway who homesteaded the land on which the hamlet was founded. The post office was established 1889 with Paul Hansen as postmaster. Discontinued 1906, superseded by R.D. from Hudson
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| Moenville, SD |
Moenville, post office in Haakon Co., SD. Established 1908 in Stanley County and named for postmaster Gustav O. Moen, born 1887 in South Dakota to Norwegian immigrant parents. Discontinued 1953.
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| Nansen, SD |
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Nansen, post office in Miner Co., SD. It was named for Fridtjof Nansen, Norwegian polar explorer. Established 1898 with Anthon A. Henden as postmaster (born 1851 Norway). Discontinued 1904 with mail to Howard.
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| Nittiberg, SD |
Nitteberg, community in Haakon Co., SD. It was named for the family of settler Stener Jacobson Nitteberg who was born 1828 in Nitteberg in Gjerdrum, Norway. The Nitteberg, SD post office operated from 1907 with John S. Nitteberg first postmaster. The name changed to Lucerne 1913, closed 1933.
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| Nora, SD (1) |
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Nora, post office in Hamlin Co., SD. Established 1882 with postmaster Iver C. D. Ruden, b. 1851 Ruden (Rua), Gran, Hadeland, Norway, d. 1893 Castlewood, Hamlin Co. The post office was probably named for Norway. Discontinued 1888 with mail to Seward.
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| Nora, SD (2) |
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Nora is a Norwegian community in Union Co., SD, and probably named for Norway. The post office was established 1891 with Erik A. Ronning as postmaster (born 1844 Norway). Discontinued 1906, superseded by R.D. from Alcester.
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| Norden , SD (1) |
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Norden is a village and township in Deuel Co., SD. Named by Scandinavian settlers and drew its name from Lake Norden in the neighbouring Hamlin Co. The Norden, SD post office was established 1878 with Andrew J. Torgerson a postmaster. It was discontinued 1904, superseded by R.D. from Brandt.
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| Norden, SD (2) |
The Dolph post office in Hamlin Co., SD was established 1895 with storekeeper Gustav A. S. Arneson as postmaster. He was succeeded 1895 by Edward N. Johnson and 1898 by Andrew N. Johnson. When the railroad established Lake Norden in 1907 the store and post office were moved there, with name-change from Dolph to Norden in 1907. Norden drew its name from the nearby Lake Norden. The lake was called Lake Nord (North) by early Scandinavian settlers and the name was later changed to its present form. Again in 1912 the post office changed name to Lake Norden, still with Andrew N. Johnson postmaster. The post office is still in operation.
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| Nordland, SD |
Nordland, post office in Kingsbury Co., SD. Established 1880 with Philip Lawrence as postmaster. It was called Nordland because most of the early residents were from Scandinavia. Changed name to Denver 1884, to Arlington 1885 and it is still in operation.
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| Norway, SD |
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Norway, post office in Yankton Co., SD. Established 1873 with Anders O. Fauske (Norwegian name) as postmaster and obviously named for Norway. Discontinued 1904, superseded by R.D. from Lesterville.
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| Odin, SD |
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Odin, post office in Lincoln Co., SD. The proposed name was Gran, but Odin was selected. Odin was the principal god in Norse mythology. The post office was established 1895 with Albert Eliason as postmaster (born 1865 Norway). Discontinued 1902, superseded by R.D. from Canton.
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| Ola, SD |
Ola is a community in Brule Co., SD. When a post office was to be established, Mrs. Cyrus H. Clark suggested that it be called Ola, because there were so many Norwegians and Swedes with this name in the settlement. The Ola, SD post office was established 1881 with Cyrus H. Clark first postmaster. It closed 1917 with mail to Bijou Hills. The population was 13 according to the 2010 census.
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| Opdahl, SD |
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Opdahl, post office in Hamlin Co., SD. The proposed p.o. name was Camulet, but Opdahl was selected, established 1882 and named for postmaster Hogen Opdahl, born 1849 in Norway. Discontinued 1889 with mail to Hazel.
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| Orness, SD |
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Orness, post office in Brookings Co., SD. Established 1896 with Jacob E. Johnson as postmaster, born 1856 Årenes, Drangeid near Flekkefjord, Norway, and named for his home in Norway. He also used Orness as surname. It closed 1901 with mail to White.
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| Rosholt, SD |
Rosholt is a town in Roberts Co., SD. Rosholt was laid out in 1913, and named in honor of Julius Rosholt, who was credited with bringing the railroad to town. He was born in USA to immigrant parents from Laurdal, Norway. The post office was established 1894 as Crawford with Louis Bjorklund as postmaster. It changed name to Rosholt in 1913 with Warren E. Henderson as postmaster and it is still in operation. The population was 423 at the 2010 census.
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| Saint Ansgar, SD |
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Saint Ansgar, post office in Garden Prairie Twp. (East), Brown Co., SD. Established 1883 with Andrew K. Tollefson as postmaster at his homestead (b. 1854 Wisconsin to Norwegian immigrant parents). Saint Ansgar is the patron saint of Scandinavia. The post office closed 1887 with mail to Verdon.
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| Saint Olaf, SD |
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Saint Olaf, post office in Minnehaha Co., SD. It was named by Norwegian settlers for Olaf II Haraldsson (995-1030), later known as St. Olaf, King of Norway 1015-30 who consolidated the kingdom and aided the establishment of Christianity. He is the patron saint of Norway. The post office was established 1872 with John O. Langness as postmaster (born 1839 Norway). It changed name to Keyes 1887, to Baltic 1889, and it is still in operation. NFT 7/2021.
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| Scandinavia, SD |
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Scandinavia, post office in Deuel Co., SD. Established 1879 with Halvor E. Bruflat as postmaster. Bruflat is the administrative centre of Etnedal municipality, Norway. The post office was discontinued 1890 with mail to Toronto.
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| Seim, SD |
Seim was a small community in Perkins Co., SD. It was named for pioneer settler Hans Hansen Seim (1845-1896), born in Granvin, Norway. The Seim, SD post office opened 1896 in Wagner Co. with Christ Skretteberg as postmaster, to Butte Co. 1901, to Perkins Co. 1909. It closed 1918 with mail to Lemmon. NFT 8/2016.
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| Sinai, SD |
Sinai is a town in Brookings Co., SD. The town and the Township received their names from the nearby Lake Sinai which got its name from Norwegian settlers. The first Sinai, SD post office operated 1891-1901 with Norwegian Nicholas O. Bursvold as postmaster. The post office re-opened in 1907, again with Nicholas O. Bursvold as postmaster, and it is still in operation. The population peaked at 217 in 1930, down to 120 at the 2010 census.
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| Skjold, SD |
Skjold, post office in Deuel Co., SD. Named by first postmaster Jacob Olson, born 1836 in Nesheim, Skjold, Rogaland, Norway. In America he also used the name Jacob Nesheim. The post office was established operated from 1877 and was discontinued 1901 with mail to Astoria.
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| Sorum, SD |
Sorum is a community in Perkins Co., SD. Sorum was laid out in 1908, and named in honor of Christian 'Chris' Sorum, a local merchant, born 1882 in Norway. The proposed name for the post office was Perkins, but Sorum was selected, and it opened 1910 with Christian Sorum as postmaster. In 1963 the post office was replaced by a Rural Station under Bison SD, discontinued unknown year (prior to 1987).
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| Storla, SD |
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Storla, post office in Aurora Co., SD, named for Norwegian immigrant O. H. Storla (the name is from Gol, Norway). The post office was established 1901 with Royal O. Butterfield as first postmaster. It closed 1905, superseded by R.D. from Letcher.
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| Strand, SD |
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Strand, post office in Day Co., SD. The Egeland p.o. changed name to Strand 1889 when Christopher Syverson (born Norway 1842) took over as postmaster from John H. Egeland. There were many Strand families in Day Co. around this time, and they were all Norwegian. Discontinued and re-established 1895, discontinued 1904, re-established 1905, finally discontinued 1906, superseded by R.D. from Waubay. See Egeland, SD.
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| Stusted, SD |
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Stusted, post office in Clark Co., SD, established 1886 with Ole Torkildson as postmaster, from Stustad, Lier, Norway; he moved to Hegra/Støren in Trøndelag 1872 and emigrated from Trondheim to Minnesota 1880. The post office changed name to Vienna 1888, discontinued 1984.
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| Sverdrup, SD |
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Sverdrup, post office in Minnehaha Co., SD, established 1885 with Gudmund O. Brende as postmaster (name from Brenna, Meråker, Norway). It is either named for Johan Sverdrup (prime minister for Norway 1884-1889), or for one of his relatives. Discontinued 1898 with mail to Pennington.
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| Thorson, SD |
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Thorson, post office in Day Co., SD, established 1886 and named for postmaster Michael Thorson, born 1851 in Norway. Discontinued 1901 with mail to Grenville.
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| Thue, SD |
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Thue, post office in Hamlin Co., SD. Established 1892 and named for Thue C. Peterson, first postmaster, born 1848 in Norway. Discontinued 1893 with mail to Hayti.
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| Togstad, SD |
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Togstad, post office in Deuel Co., SD, established 1879 with Even Tokstad Norman as postmaster. He immigrated 1878 to America from Tokstad, Ringsaker, Norway and named the post office for himself and his home in Norway. Discontinued 1904, superseded by R.D. from Estelline.
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| Veblen, SD |
Veblen is a city in Marshall Co., SD. Veblen was incorporated in 1900 and was named for Ed Veblen, the youngest son of Norwegian immigrant parents. The Veblen, SD post office opened 1893 with Michael J. Hawley first postmaster and it is still in operation. The population was 531 at the 2010 census.
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| Vig, SD |
Vig, post office in Norway Twp., Roberts Co., SD. Named for Peder Gunval Vig (born 1838, Vik, Skudenes, Norway). Established 1902 with Alfred W Thompson as postmaster. Discontinued 1914 with mail to Veblen.
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| Not confirmed: Nelson, SD |
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Nelson, post office in Mayfield Twp., Yankton Co., SD. Established 1896 with Robert Hendrickson as postmaster. Discontinued 1897 with mail to Irene. An earlier note/information says that the post office was named for its pm Christ Nelson – this does not match information in Postal Bulletin. |
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