Gary, SD

Gary sits right against the Minnesota border in eastern South Dakota, where Main Avenue leads straight toward the state line. Back in the 1870s, the railroad earned the town its nickname, the Gate City, and it still feels like a quiet front door to the state. The West Branch of the Lac qui Parle River winds right through town, set against the rolling prairie hills of the Coteau des Prairies.

Life here moves at an easy pace shaped by the seasons and the open land. You will see wind turbines turning along the ridges, tractors heading into the fields, and neighbors heading out for a weekend of fishing at nearby lakes or snowmobiling after a winter storm. With its preserved historic buildings and quiet green spaces along the creek, Gary offers a close-knit community with plenty of room to breathe.