Expanding the Campus and Preparing Students for Life

The Howard Simpson Era was one of the most transformative periods in South Dakota School for the Deaf history. As the first Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) to serve as superintendent, Simpson guided SDSD through a decade of remarkable growth, overseeing major campus expansion, strengthening vocational and agricultural education, enlarging the school farm, and leading the school through the challenges of World War I. His leadership left a lasting impact on the school's physical and educational development.

Campus Expansion and Improvements

Introduction

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Howard Wright Simpson served as the sixth superintendent of the South Dakota School for the Deaf from 1910 to 1920. Born on February 7, 1882, in the Main Building on the SDSD campus, he was the eldest son of former superintendent James Simpson and Anna Laura Simpson, both of whom were Deaf. Raised in a Deaf household and fluent in sign language from childhood, Howard became the first CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) to serve as superintendent of SDSD. At just twenty-eight years of age, he was considered uniquely qualified for the position because of his lifelong connection to the school and deep understanding of Deaf education. Under his leadership, SDSD experienced significant campus expansion, growth in vocational education, enlargement of the school farm, and adaptation to national events, including World War I.

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Howard Simpson oversaw one of the most active periods of campus construction and expansion in SDSD history. To accommodate increasing enrollment, the School Building and Boys' Dormitory underwent a major expansion in 1912 following a legislative appropriation.

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The enlarged granite facility provided additional classrooms, offices, two basement gymnasiums, a large assembly hall and expanded vocational training areas, greatly improving the school's educational capacity.

Academic & Residential Building

• Major expansion of the School Building and Boys' Dormitory (1912)

• Expansion of French Hall (1913)

Farm & Agricultural Facilities​

• Farm enlarged by 109 acres

• New poultry house, machine shed and coal house

• Conversion of the farm creamery facilities

• Construction of a modern combination barn (1918)

Campus Infrastructure

• Modernization of the heating plant and steam distribution system

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These project greatly improved the school facilities and prepared SDSD for future growth

Expansion of the School Farm and Campus

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One of Howard Simpson's most significant achievements was the expansion of the school's land holdings. Believing that many SDSD pupils came from rural farming families, he envisioned enlarging the campus to create a formal agricultural education program. For several years, Simpson worked with the State Board of Charities and Corrections and the South Dakota Legislature to acquire farmland adjoining the school.
 

The project, however, was not without challenges. While many landowners agreed to sell, others disputed the value of their property. Negotiations eventually broke down, leading to lawsuits, in which the courts to determine fair compensation before the state could complete the purchases. Although the legal proceedings delayed the project, they ultimately cleared the way for the expansion.
 

In 1917, the South Dakota Legislature appropriated $35,000 to purchase approximately 109 additional acres adjoining the school farm. The expansion greatly increased the size of the SDSD campus, providing valuable space for agricultural instruction, livestock operations, and future development. It became one of the largest campus expansions in the school's history and reflected Simpson's vision of preparing Deaf students for successful lives through practical vocational and agricultural education.​

Vocational and Agricultural Education

Believing that education should prepare students for successful and independent lives beyond the classroom, Howard Simpson greatly expanded SDSD's vocational and practical training programs.

These programs emphasized practical knowledge that students could apply in their homes, communities, or future employment. Together with the expanded school farm, they reflected Simpson's belief that Deaf students should graduate with both academic knowledge and the practical skills needed to lead productive and independent lives.

Life at SDSD extended far beyond the classroom. During Howard Simpson's administration, pupils enjoyed a wide variety of academic, athletic, social, and community activities that helped create a vibrant campus life.

World War I and Changing Enrollment

Transition to a New Career

After returning from France and completing a decade as superintendent, Howard Simpson resigned from SDSD in 1920 to pursue a new career in the hotel business. He first purchased a half-interest in the Park Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin, before later becoming owner and manager of the McClellan Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. 

Click each hotel below to learn more about Howard Simpson’s role.
 

• Park Hotel - Madison, Wisconsin

• McClellan - Wichita, Kansas

Although his career took him beyond Deaf education, his ten years of leadership had already transformed SDSD through campus expansion, vocational education, and the enlargement of the school farm.  

To learn more about Howard Simpson’s life beyond SDSD, click his profile below.
PROFILE

Legacy

Howard Simpson's administration bridged the founding generation of SDSD with the modern institution that emerged in the twentieth century. Building upon the work begun by his father, he expanded the campus, strengthened vocational education, enlarged the school farm, and guided SDSD through a period of national change and growth. His leadership left a lasting mark on the physical and educational development of the school. 
 

​References:

The Transcendent Territory, pages 15- 17  View

Debra Bilbrey's research files.

Scott Miller's research files.

Argus Leaders

Multiply newspapers

Wikipedia.

Find A Grave.

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More sources to be added soon