'As printed in the 2000 Heartland Living History Festival Collector's Edition: Ivan L. Loesch Historian
Since 1974, Ivan L. Loesch has been researching materials relevant to the ancient history through 1880 within what he termed the Heartland Region of South Dakota.
Loesch developed a "Heartland Region of SD" map. As a result, he was asked by the Huron Chamber of Commerce and Beadle County to chair the 1976 Bicentennial effort for our area. Fourteen projects were accomplished including 20,000 Heartland maps, the "Pride of the Heartland Region" award and saddle, erecting historical markers throughout the region, Heartland Highlights, a weekly radio presentation and other programs, such as the 1976 Heartland Festival.
In 1985, Loesch was made aware of an Indian village just north of Huron, by a 5th grader named, Jason Williamson, during one of many school assemblies given by Loesch.
The Heartland Historical Society, Inc. was established in 1985 for the purpose of accumulating historical information and providing it in educational methods to the Heartland Region. (on to next page)