“Oakwood 1877-1894”

Oakwood, called Tetonkaha, Lakes, when visited in 1838 by Nicollet & Fremont, was site of a small Fort N of Little Round Lake in 1857 and again occupied in 1863-64. The township was surveyed by Richard F. Pettigrew in September 1871 and James Stoughton and ‘Old Spot,' Samuel Mortimer took claims shortly and lived in the area until 1875. In meanwhile Byron and

W.W. Pay arrived in 1873. James S. Cummings, later postmaster May 4, 1877, came in 1875 and William P., William C. Miller, J.S. Beardsley and R.P. Devan in 1876. Arthur S. Mitchell arrived May 1, 1877.

Preceded in Brookings County by only Medary, 1857, and re-settled in 1871, Oakwood was the second community and, connected by stage with Medary, Flandreau and the South, it was a thriving community. Platted by John C. Ogden for Joshua Downing in April 1879 the Dakota Central reached Volga 7 miles S and there was an exodus for the railhead. The Post Office was discontinued in 1894, mail going to Bruce.

Brookings County, 7 miles north from Volga then 1½ miles west at southeast edge of lake (2006)