Swan Lake, South Dakota is a small natural lake

Lake

A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...

 located north-northwest of the city of Viborg, South Dakota

Viborg, South Dakota

Viborg is a city in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 782 at the 2010 census.Founded by Danish-Americans, the city is most likely named after the Danish city of Viborg...

. The lake is surrounded by cabins and is used for recreational purposes.

History

Swan Lake because it is shaped like a swan. From the 1920's until the late 1970's there was a resort at Swan Lake on the south side of the lake. It included a pavilion that sold food and it had a band stand, dance floor and roller skating rink on the same floor. Cabins were rented out and bands performed at the pavilion. There was a bath house to rent swim suits, several boats for rent and bait could also be bought. The pavilion was built after WWI and owned by the Ebersen family. On 2/1/1921 the pavilion was purchased by Peter N. Hansen and his wife Claudine whose children Erna, Art, Lorna, and Earl grew up on the resort. They owned it until about 1946. Some other owners of the Swan Lake Resort over the years were a Bill and Mary Myreholt and Waldo and Marilyn Jorgensen. The cabins were sold to individuals during the 60's and 70's. The pavilion burned down around 1979. Today there is a place called the Shore Store on the east side of the lake.

In 1959, a tornado went thru and caused a lot of damage to the north side.