Webster was named after James Perry Webster, who came to Day County from Ohio by way of Minnesota in the spring of 1880.
The railroad reached the area in 1880, but Webster was not platted as a town until the following June.
There were three settlers (or families of settlers) at that time - J.P. Webster, Ed Ruggles and J.C. Bush.
Ed Smail was the first man to decide on building and erected part of the Fiksdal store corner.
The old part of the Balzer House (Klein Hotel corner) was finished immediately after Norton and Smail finished their storeroom. Smail was mayor of Webster for 10 years being elected to five successive terms. It was during his administration that the city made great advancements as light, water and sewer systems were installed.
Webster was incorporated as a village in March 1885 and as a city in April 1895.
Today, Webster is the largest town in Day County and the county seat.
City Information
City of Webster
City Hall
800 Main St. Webster, SD 57274
605-345-3241
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Airport
605-345-9982
Fire Department
605-345-3030
Housing Authority
605-345-3181
Library
605-345-3263
Police Department
605-345-4040
Street Department
605-345-3935
Pool
605-345-3924
Water Department
605-345-4032
Webster Armory
605-345-9990
Youth Center
605-345-4175
Check us out at webstersd.com
