Welcome to our SDSD's virtual history page.  In November of 1880, Reverend Thomas Berry founded the Dakota Territorial School for the Deaf -Mute.  He was responsible for the school's administration which included the hiring of the first teacher at SDSD, Miss Jennie Wright. Reverend Berry was able to rent a private dwelling known as the Thomas Lodging House located on Main Avenue. First five pupils, Hester Black, Henry Harris and Garrison,  were enrolled.  Reverend Berry's tenure lasted less than one year; he returned to Buffalo, New York shortly after the death of his wife. The school depended upon donations of the founders, Rev. Thomas Berry and public citizens for its financial support.

Upon Berry's departure in the fall of 1881, Miss Wright assumed the position of superintendent. By this time, the school was located on its current property on Eighth Street in Sioux Falls. Miss Wright served in the role of superintendent/ teacher for a very short time, and then relinquished her position to marry.

In 1881, Mr. James Simpson, Miss Wright's deaf brother-in-law, became the third superintendent serving for the next 22 years from 1881 to 1903. In 1883, the Territorial Legislature provided for a Board of Trustees of five members to be appointed by the Governor for a period of two years.  In 1889, South Dakota became statehood, therefore the school for the Deaf renamed into South Dakota School for the Deaf.  Under Simpson's administration, the school grew from one building with seven students to a well-equipped institution with a total enrollment of 54 (35 boys and 19 girls) and operated a farm that provided all of the food needed for students and staff.

​

To read more about the history of the South Dakota School for the Deaf, you can click here.