South Dakota is known for its natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural diversity. But there is also a hidden side of the state that few people are aware of: the ghost towns that dot its landscape. One of these is Swett, a once-thriving community that is now completely deserted.

The Rise and Fall of Swett

Swett was founded in 1902 by a farmer named Jesse Swett, who bought 320 acres of land and built a general store, a post office, and a house. He also sold parcels of land to other settlers, who established a school, a church, and a cemetery. At its peak, Swett had about 40 residents, mostly farmers and ranchers.

However, Swett’s prosperity did not last long. The Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the decline of agriculture took a toll on the town. By the 1940s, most of the residents had moved away, leaving only a handful of families behind. The post office closed in 1945, and the school followed suit in 1954. The last remaining residents left in the 1970s, and Swett became a ghost town.

The Fate of Swett

Since then, Swett has changed hands several times, but none of the owners managed to revive it. In 1998, a man named Lance Benson bought the entire town for $60,000, hoping to turn it into a tourist attraction. He renovated the general store and the house, and even reopened the bar, which he named the Swett Tavern. He also put up a sign that read: “Welcome to Swett. Population: 4” (referring to himself, his wife, their dog, and their cat).

However, Benson’s plans did not work out either. He faced financial difficulties, legal troubles, and vandalism. In 2014, he decided to sell the town for $399,000, hoping to attract buyers who were interested in owning a piece of history. He advertised the town as having “six acres of land, a house, three trailers, a bar, and a workshop”. He also claimed that the town was haunted by ghosts, which he said added to its charm.

However, Benson did not find any buyers who were willing to pay that much for a rundown town. He lowered the price to $250,000, then to $150,000, but still no luck. He even offered to throw in a free horse with the purchase of the town. But no one seemed to be interested in owning Swett.

The Future of Swett

As of now, Swett remains on the market, waiting for someone to give it a new lease of life. It is one of the few ghost towns in the country that are still for sale, and one of the smallest as well. It is also one of the most isolated, as it is located about 100 miles from the nearest city, Rapid City.

Swett is a testament to the history and culture of South Dakota, and a reminder of the hardships and challenges that the pioneers faced. It is also a curiosity and a mystery, as it raises questions about why people abandoned it, and what stories and secrets it holds. Swett is a town that most people don’t know about, but perhaps one day, someone will discover it and make it their own.

Conclusion

Swett is an abandoned town in South Dakota that was once a thriving community, but fell victim to the forces of nature and time. It has been on the market for several years, but has not found any buyers who are willing to restore it. It is a ghost town that is hidden from the public eye, but also a potential treasure for those who are looking for a unique and historic property. Swett is a town that deserves to be known, and maybe, someday, to be reborn.