Chester is a town of 187 people located in Lake County, South Dakota, 40 miles northwest of Sioux Falls. It is surrounded by several lakes, including Brandt Lake and Round Lake, where locals enjoy boating and relaxing. Chester is an agricultural community where farmers grow crops like corn, soybeans, and oats. In 1990, half of Chester was destroyed by a damaging tornado, but the town was rebuilt after the incident. The high school also burned down in 1967 but was later reconstructed.

1. Chester, South Dakota
Southeast Region of South Dakota

2. Lake County 43
 Chester is part of Lake Country. It is 40 miles
northwest of Sioux Falls. Population: 187
 On the South Dakota license plates, Lake
Country is # 43.
 Lake County is one of 66 counties in South
Dakota

3. Surrounded by lakes!!!
 Chester is surrounded by many lakes!! These
lakes include Brandt Lake, Round Lake,
Skunk Creek, and Long Lake.
 Other area lakes include Lake Herman and
Lake Madison.
 Many people spend their weekends boating
and relaxing by these lakes.

4. Agricultural Community
 Chester is a farm community. Farmers raise
corn, soybeans, alfalfa, flax, and oats. 4-
H’ers bring many projects and livestock to the
State Fair in Huron.

5. Damaging Tornado
 In 1990, a damaging tornado destroyed half
the town of Chester. Many businesses lost
their buildings. For a short time, people were
not allowed to enter the town because of
broken pipelines.
 Shortly after, the town rebuilt homes and
businesses.

6. Chester High School
 The Chester High School was destroyed by
fire in 1967. It was later rebuilt, joining other
smaller communities of Franklin and
Wentworth.
 Old Chester School Chester Area HS

7. Chester High School
 The Chester High School was destroyed by
fire in 1967. It was later rebuilt, joining other
smaller communities of Franklin and
Wentworth.
 Old Chester School Chester Area HS