Ashton

1996 population: 164.

Ashton was born when the railroads stretched north. Old Ashton was the original Spihnk County seat. It died out as New Ashton began. Today only a post office and home of residents remain.

Athol

1996 Population: Unavailable

First named for Myrtle Taylor, believed to be first white child born in vicinity. Railroad officials rechristened the town Athol in 1881 after James Murray, the second Duke of Athol, Scotalnd. Today, and elevaotr and community center are the only businesses in town.

Brentford

1996 population: 69.

The Brentford High School closed its doors in 1980 and was demolised in 1982. The site was made into a park for the city.

Conde

1996 population was 203.

Named changed to Conde on April 15, 1892.

Crandon

Population: Ghost town.

Many names graced the town besides Parmlee, it was also called Minden, Porter, Stinette, before finally called Crandon after a railroad official. The town vanished in the early twenthieth century.

Doland

1996 population: 306.

Doland was home of Hubert H. Humphrey, vice president and presidential candidate, Dennis and Duane Koslowski, Olympic wrestling participants and Harvey Wollman, former South Dakota governor.

Frankfort

1996 population was 192.

Has been able to keep its own post office and a grocery store. New home are being built. Has paved strees and a new community center. Elevator is one of main businesses in town.

LeDelle

1996 population: 0, Ghost town.

Site of a weather station in 1897, but disappeared during the Dirty '30's.

Mansfield

1996 population was 95.

Mansfield straddles the Brown County and Spink County line. Had a peak population of 200 in 1906. Lawrence Welk once played in a 1902 building which is still standing in 1996.

Mellette

1996 population was 184.

Named for Arthur C. Mellette, former governor of South Dakota. Home of Northwestern schools which buses students from Ashton, Athol, Brentford, Mansfield and Northville.

Northville

1996 Population was 105.

Named because it was the northern most point on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. Peak population in 1910 was 392.

Redfield

1996 population was 2,270.

County seat of Spink County. Self-proclaimed as Pheasant Capital of hte world. Redfield was once a contender for teh South Dakota state capitol, but had only three of nine votes falling two short of necessary approval.

Spotswood

1996 population: 0

Was a small railroad town along the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Line on the southern edge of Spink county. Last building, an elevator, was moved to Tulare in 1971. Some descendants of early-day residents still reside in the area.

Tulare

1996 population was 224.

The first bank was built in 1902. Thieves broke in one night and blew the safe. Residents upstairs heard the noise, but were unable to call for help, their phone line had been cut! The thieves were never caught.

Turton

Population is 76 in 1996.

St. Paul was 3 1/2 miles southeast of the present site., moved when the railrod missed the town and renamed in 1887.