Wessington Springs, S.D.
Shakespeare Garden, Anne
Hathaway Cottage
Located 40 miles southwest of Huron, beautiful Wessington Springs is nestled at the foot of Wessington Springs Hills. The community is rich in history with a wide array of recreational activities and opportunities. Shakespeare Garden and Anne Hathaway cottage are the beautiful products of an interesting story that comes deep from the rich history of this area. Anne Hathaway Cottage was built by Professor and Mrs. Shay in 1932. The builders drew the plans from a picture postcard of the original at Strafford-on-Avon, an excellent likeness to be found nowhere else in the Midwest. The terraced garden to the west of the cottage is the Anne Hainthaway Garden, with hundreds of herb and flower varieties mentioned in Shakespeare's works. Professor Shay was caretaker and visionary for this exquisite garden.
Several annual events are held in the company of this garden of blossoms including the Maypole Dance, the first Sunday in May, a Shakespearian play the second weekend in June and a Christmas program the first weekend in December. Jerauld Country Pioneer Museum is open year round along with the County Court House Museum, Old School House and Rural Repair Shop.
Wessington Springs, or Springs as the natives call it,
features several historical sites including a pioneer monument dedicated to all
the original settlers of Jerauld County. The United Methodist Church
displays beautiful stained glass windows and the Wessington Springs Opera House
was constructed in 1912.
from the Huron S.D., Summer 2000 Travel Guide