Apparently this is a famous attraction known to all around the US. Supposedly there are signs in many other states advertising Wall Drug Store and giving the miles in thousands to their location in Wall, South Dakota. I must have been living in a cave because I never had heard of them nor ever seen any of their signs.
Wall Drug Store now covers 76,000 square feet of many free attractions. It has everything from shops, a children's play area, picnic area, travelers chapel, restaurant, ice cream parlor, photo op area, art gallery, donut factory...and I'm sure I missed mentioning a few.
But what is interesting is the story of their success, when, in 1931 Ted and Dorothy Hustead bought the only drug store in Wall, SD. Mr. Hustead was a pharmacist and their dream was to own their own drug store, in a small town, with a Catholic Church. Wall, SD met all three of their wishes. Several months passed and business was bad. They gave themselves five years to make a go of the business but as that timeline was approaching, business hadn't improved much. They lived in the back of the store and one evening Dorothy couldn't sleep and went to the front to find Ted . He asked her if she couldn't sleep because it was too hot and she replied "No, it wasn't the heat that kept me awake, it was all the cars going by on Route 16A".
Dorothy then got the idea that all of those travelers driving across the hot prairie would be thirsty and want ice cold water. They had plenty of ice and plenty of water, so they started putting up signs on the highway telling people to come to their drugstore for free ice water. Shortly after the signs were erected people came pouring in for free ice water that lead them to buying ice cream cones and other products. The next summer they had to hire eight girls to help. The store is now owned and operated by their son and Wall Drug draws up to 20,000 people on a good summer day.
I believe it. The day we were there it was packed.
Map of grounds.
Back yard boardwalk.
Inside mall.
Travelers chapel.
Fountain where you can still get free ice cold water.
Ron made me get up on this stupid jack-a-lope.
Just two big kids.
This is really why we stopped.
Hope all is well!
