History Of AberdeenAberdeen, SD is a city of approximately 25,000 people in northeastern South Dakota.
Like many towns of the Midwest, Aberdeen was built around the newly developing railroad systems. Charles Prior, superintendent of the Minneapolis office of the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, or the Milwaukee Railroad for short, officially plotted Aberdeen as a town site on January 3, 1881.
Alexander Mitchell, Charles Prior's boss, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, from which Aberdeen, SD received its name. Aberdeen was officially founded on July 6, 1881, the date of the first arrival of a Milwaukee Railroad train.
Aberdeen experienced rapid growth and quickly became popular with land speculators, businessmen, fortune seekers, and adventurers. Aberdeen grew out of the success of the railroads; hence, the nickname "The Hub City".
In the century that followed, Aberdeen has grown to become the third largest city in South Dakota, with agriculture and railroads as its backbone. Never a one-industry town, Aberdeen established itself early on as an important area for medical services.
Aberdeen enters the 21st century well positioned to take advantage of numerous opportunities for growth as it continues to focus on the values, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit that helped it rise to prominence.
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Historic winter picture of downtown
Capitol Theatre
Evening in 1911
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