Carter, the gateway to the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations, occupies a unique position among the towns of the Rosebud country. Carter is at a central point on the western border of Tripp County (from north to south), at the southeastern corner of Mellette County and the northeast corner of Todd County.
 
Shortly after Tripp County was opened to settlement in 1909, the town of Carter was platted and the initial lot sale was held on the 17th of December, 1909. The highest prices ever paid for vacant lots in any townsite in the Rosebud country, or in the state, so far as is known, were paid for lots in Carter.  Business lots reached as high as $3,100 for 25' x 140' lots. Few sold for less than $1500.
 
CONSTRUCTION OF CARTER
Building started during the winter of 1909-10 with the expectation that the Chicago Northwestern Railway would be coming through. Even the hard winter did not hold back progress as the advantages of Carter were not to be questioned. Its trade territory would be Tripp, Todd, and Mellette counties plus Washabaugh and Bennett counties to the west. It was the center of the land district with no impassable streams. The Western Townsite Company (owned by the Jackson Bros.) was behind the promotion of Carter and had contracted with the Pioneer Townsite Company for the establishment of a Chicago Northwestern Railway station at Carter. This was to be one of the railway's most important terminus for the time to come. The Chamberlain and Gregory U.S. Land offices were to be combined and Carter was to have a government land office.

Big two-story buildings were erected. The Hotel put up by I. T. Stone was the finest this side of Norfolk and Fremont, Nebraska. Banks were started and businesses set up. In total, there were 29 businesses by 1910 including the hotel, two grocery stores, a hardware store, two saloons, two livery stables, two lumber yards, a blacksmith shop, garage, barber shop, newspaper, and a doctor.  
 
Carter's first newspaper was "The Carter News" and was published May 26th, 1910.
 
The town of Carter may have been named for Jarvis W. Carter, Registrar of the Land office, Pierre. Some contended it was named for a rancher to the south by the name of Carter. 
 
October 8, 1910, the Carter Woman's Club was organized. In 1911, it was admitted to the Federated Woman's Club.

 
DEER CREEK
Water of 99.75% purity was to be conveyed from springs to the south of Carter. A dam was built on Deer Creek (DeBell), which formed the beautiful Lake Westonka to the east of Carter. This lake provided the swimming hole, the picnic grounds, boating, and fishing plus an ice harvest in the winter.
 
 
WHAT HAPPENED TO CARTER
Two devastating fires, one on January 12, 1925, and one on March 31, 1926, consumed much of the town. The fact that they were never able to float bonds for a water system was perhaps a contributing factor to the final fall of the town.

Another reason contributing to the decline of the town was the loss of the railroad. In 1929, it was built to the north going to Wood, South Dakota. 

Carter in its heyday is said to have had a population of 300 people and probably had the most substantial buildings of any town in Rosebud country.   In 1925, the census figures show 94 residents with a steady decline each census to follow.  By 1980, there were only 7 residents left and in 1983, the town was dissolved and became a part of the Carter Township.  

 
 
ONCE EXISTING BUILDINGS AND BUSINESSES OF CARTER
BUILDINGS AND BUSINESSES OWNER / MANAGER DESCRIPTION
HOME HOTEL    
HAISCH & CO Ed Haisch General Merchandise
FARMERS STATE BANK   Also known as Jackson Bros. Bank
GINTER STATE BANK   Not used until Farmer's State Bank moved into it.
CARTER STATE BANK   Also known as Youngquist Bank
LANGWORTHY & CO   Hotel with saloon downstairs
ZELLER BUILDING Mrs. Coleman Restaurant
HOWARD COOMAN BUILDING   Saloon
DOAN SEARS LUMBER C. W. Bolen Branch store from Dallas
KAUCH SHOP   Garage moved to Igloo
CARTER NEWSPRINT SHOP A. J. Reichmann  
GILKERSON & MILLER   1st store in Carter, and it was a Hardware and Machinery store
SMITH LUMBER Julius Sandoz  
BLACKSMITH John Prichard Dougherty Blacksmith Shop
BEATRICE CREAM STATION Max Volkman  
HARDING CREAM STATION A. Jackson  
CREAM STATION S. L. Funk  
WELL DRILLERS
H. Quackenbush
J. C. Wineigar
 
REAL ESTATE
W. Hacker, Gregory
James Flynn, Homesteader
Wolf and Bowden, Gregory
 
CAMERON BUILDING John Prichard Saloon
CARPENTER John V. Roach  
DOCTORS
Dr. Collect
Dr. Swett
Dr. R. M. Malster
 
LIVERY BARNS
Lee Dunken
Anton Anderson
 
STAGE G. W. Hood Ran stage from Dallas in steam automobile
CARTER THEATER Harold Estes Ran three shows a week
BARBER SHOP   GOT YOUR HAIR CUT
TOWN GARAGES
Ed Gran
L. V. Andrea
 
FREIGHTER Chris Tideman  
TOWN MARSHALL Jack Jensen  
CHURCHES    
All Saint Episcopal Mission Rev. Blair Roberts
organized in spring of 1910
A guild was started in the fall
Catholic   Located east of Main near highway.
Congregational Church Rev. Alex Russell organized in 1910
Schools Mrs. C. C. Kellar(teacher) School started in a rented building with 30 pupils. A school room was built in 1912.
Carter Dam Taylor Bros. 10 teams worked on moving dirt to create the 300' dam.
     
Carter Post Masters
George W. Segrist   1909
Eddie E. Gran   1912
Mildred Swanson   1913
Geo. Widner   1914
Joseph H. McNamara   1916
Ruth A. Keepers   1919
Thelma L. Abbott   1924
Emily W. Raycroft   1924-1943
J. R. Martin   1943-1958
Ruby McCollam   1958
Harry Jansen   1959-1976
 
 
 
Source: Tripp County Historical Society, 6th Annual Auto Caravan, Heritage Tour, Sunday, September 26, 1976