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Okaton

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In Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Region, Okaton is located southwest of Pierre in Jones County on I-90.

Based on 1990 census, there were 13 people living in Okaton, and a 2003 map shows 29, so it may be recovering from its status as a ghost town. The large, abandoned grain elevator still stands along the railroad tracks, along with several homes and a store. At one time, a movie was filmed here using the grain elevator, but it was never released.

A small store with gas pumps and souveniers stands across the tracks from the grain elevator. There is a small petting zoo with goats and sheep.

The town began along the Milwaukee Railroad tracks as the line was being pushed west to Rapid City early in the 20th century. The harsh climate of the Great Plains drove homesteaders away, especially during the Great Depression. The loss of the railroad in 1980 also contributed to its being labelled a ghost town.

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03/28 Coming to The area
Sully County Fair Onida SD August9-12 kicking off the fair with a parade through Onida on Thursday, at 6:27 p.m. The parade will end up at the fairgrounds where we will be having cake, refreshments and music.