Yankton, South Dakota

Situated on the north bank of the Missouri River, Yankton is located in south-eastern South Dakota, and from its days as a stopping point in the journey of Lewis and Clark and the Corp of Discovery, Yankton’s history remains part of the community today. The name means “village at the end of the line,” and Yankton was originally the winter camping ground for a band of Sioux Indians. Yankton served as the Territorial Capital of Dakota Territory from 1861 – 1883. Because of its location on the Missouri River, Yankton was the arrival point for hundreds of passengers during the Gold Rush Days and for settlers headed north and west into Dakota Territory. In 1873, Lt. Col. George Custer and his Seventh Calvary spent three weeks surviving an April blizzard. He never returned, so to speak.

Some of Yankton’s other claims to historical fame include the trial and hanging of Jack McCall, the accused murderer of Wild Bill Hickok, the establishment of a small radio station that grew to be WNAX and the springboard for Lawrence Welk in 1922, the construction of Gavins Point Dam and creation of Lewis and Clark Lake in 1957, and the home town of Tom Brokaw of NBC News.

Today Yankton has a population of about 14,000 people and is the home of industry, farming, retail stores, a college, a Federal Prison Camp, and of course, Yankton High School with close to 1100 students.

Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

Sheboygan Falls is situated on the Sheboygan River, which winds through the town. It was incorporated in 1911. Manufacturing jobs provide most residents with their incomes. One of the largest employers in town, the Bemis Company has been in the area for over 100 years.

The wider area attracts visitors and tourists to the shoreline of Lake Michigan, to the trails and ski hills of the Kettle Moraine Forest, to plentiful fishing and boating on the numerous county lakes, to the world famous Road America, and to the many quaint historic towns that proudly recognize their German or Dutch heritage. In recent years, Sheboygan County is becoming known as a golfer's paradise. Courses such as Blackwolf Run (Kohler) and The Bull (Sheboygan Falls) offer PGA level play. And along the shores of Lake Michigan is Whistling Straits, which will host the 86th PGA Championship in August, 2004.

Today nearly 7,000 people live in Sheboygan Falls. Sheboygan Falls High School was built in 1970 and serves about 600 students.