Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota

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Wall Drug Store

Wall Drugs is a tourist stop located in the town of Wall, South Dakota. Yes, there is a pharmacy on the premises, but it takes up just a tiny portion of the establishment. Wall Drugs is an emporium, a place that makes an attempt to be all things to all people and does a fairly decent job of it. Where else can you still find 5 cent coffee and have your picture taken on a giant jackalope?

Don't forget to buy a T-shirt. It will attract comments all over the world.

History of Wall Drug Store

In December of 1931, Dorothy and Ted Hustead bought the only drugstore in Wall, South Dakota on the edge of the Badlands. After five years of working and little to show for it, Dorothy came up with the bright idea of enticing the cars of Route 16A with free ice water. There was no air conditioning in those days so ice water in the hot, sweltering heat must have seemed like a little piece of heaven.

By the time Ted had finished placing those first free ice water signs, cars began pulling into the parking lot. The customers didn't just take the water and leave. Since they were already in the store, they bought other things. From that point on there was no worry about customers. The business continued to grow.

Signs All Over the World

Since those first signs went up in the 1930's many more have followed. A traveler can't go very far in South Dakota or neighboring states without seeing Wall Drug signs. Once you've passed all of those signs, you feel like you have to stop just to see what is inside the store.

There's quite a few Wall Drug Store signs elsewhere. Signs have been placed all over the world. They can be spotted in London, Holland, Paris, Viet Nam, Kenya, the North Pole and just about everywhere else. The store spends about $300,000 per year on signs. The publicity generated from those signs outside the trade area generates publicity far beyond the investment.

Once inside the store, customers can take Wall Drug Store signs home with them at no cost provided they promise to post them somewhere. Snapshots on store walls attest to the many customers who do as promised. About 14,000 small ones and 8,000 larger ones go out the door every year.

Plenty To Keep You Busy

Wall Drug Store is located off I-90. Don't worry about finding it. The signs make it impossible to lose.

During the peak tourist season, Wall Drugs serves about 20,000 customers a day. Most of them have a cup of free water while they are there.

Inside there's something to interest everyone. Hundreds of photos and artifacts capture the history of the West. Animated singing cowboys entertain. Art lovers can spend more time than they probably have enjoying the Western art gallery. Have your picture taken with the four presidents on Mount Rushmore. Shop for jewelry, T-shirts, cowboy boots and hats and just about everything else imaginable. Dig in the bonanza box for gemstones. Watch Wild Bill Hickock play his last hand. Check out the pharmacy museum. Have dinner with a 5 cent coffee.

And that just scratches the surface.

Wall, South Dakota Statistics

The population of 57790 is 1,051.

That's #22096 out of all 42,305 zip codes.

93% of the population is white, which is 19 points more than the national average.

The average household income in 57790 is $36,184, which is $6,486 more than the typical average.

This contributes to the average house being worth $63,000. When the survey was done in 2000, that represented a difference of -20% from the typical value.

Men make up 48% of the population, and the typical age in this part of SD is 41.5.

Stats about: Wall, SD

Population: 1,051
Number of Households: 551
Average House Value: $63,000
Average Income per Household: $36,184
Elevation: 3,247 ft

Population Breakdown:

Wall, South Dakota Directions

Wall Drug Store on YouTube

Tour of Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota

Jon Olson, a South Dakota native, gives you on a tour of Americas #1` Roadside Attraction: Wall Drug, located in Wall South Dakota.

Runtime: 4:40 | 1404 views | 7 Comments

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Wall Drug Store at Amazon

Favorite Recipes from the Employees, Friends & Relatives of Wall Drug Store, Wall, South Dakota

Wall Drug Store in the News

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Wall Drug Store on the Blogs

Librarian At Large: South Dakota, Thanksgiving Weekend, 2009: There is a small mall of stores along the side of Wall Drug, with more to offer with local connections, and the rear housed an area of historic pictures, but I was too busy rolling my eyes to enjoy it much. ...
Wall Drug "bit" from DJP's 2nd romantic comedy novel!: According to the pamphlet, Ted and Dorothy Hustead bought the only drug store in Wall, South Dakota in 1931. He started out with just $3000 from his father's savings and the idea of running his own business. Ted, a recent graduate from ...
South Dakota Magazine » Wall Drug Advertised in Iraq: South Dakota Magazine | Filed by Katie at 9:49 am. david-finger.jpg Colonel David Finger, M.D., ran into a bit of nostalgia while stationed in Iraq. The graduate of Watertown High School came across a Wall Drug advertisement located in ...
Greg & Melissa's Hitchin' HQ » Video Update: Hays, Kansas to Wall Drug: What we have here is a 20-plus minute video that captures a bit of our travels through the rest of Kansas, including Hays (my mom's hometown), Nebraska and South Dakota. You'll see what Wall Drug is all about, the 'South of the Border' ...

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paperfacets paperfacets Feb 18, 2009 @ 12:14 pm

Every summer in the late fifties we stopped at Wall's to get a malt on our way to Gaylord, MN. It was no bigger than a small five and dime. I remember a lunch bar and wooden tables with high sides so the souvenirs would not fall on the floor. Out side was bright bright sun and one wide street. Street parking only and not very many establishments.

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myklroventine myklroventine Dec 15, 2008 @ 3:58 pm

Great lens. Love Wall Drug! Check out my Flickr group - I Dug Wall Drug.

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BenBlair BenBlair Dec 14, 2008 @ 6:55 pm

I grew up in Wall. Yup. I seriously did. Nice Lens!

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Lodging Reviews for Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City is about 45 minutes from Wall.

Here's what Yelpers have to say about Hotels & Travel in 57709

Comfort Inns & Suites (Rapid City): "BRAND NEW! Nice staff great breakfast. Clean and clear. Stay (:" more
Holiday Inn Express I-90 (Rapid City): "- Amazing Beds - Great hot continental breakfast with eggs, donuts, bacon, sausage patties, juice, biscuits and gravy - Nice pool with two hot tubs and..." more
Fairfield Inn & Suites (Rapid City): "I stayed here on a business trip to Rapid City. I'm sure it is great for families, but when I booked I was not aware that it was attached a waterpark...." more
Budget Host Inn (Rapid City): "I needed a place to crash after visiting Mt. Rushmore (http://KananAcrossAmerica.blogspot.com) and I had not made reservations, on top of that it was the..." more
Super 8 Motel (Rapid City): "Convenient to the interstate and to downtown (Exit 59). Also convenient to a gas station, a liquor store (& Denny's, a pizza place). Very new and clean...." more

Entertainment Reviews for Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City is about 45 minutes from Wall.

Here's what Yelpers have to say about Arts & Entertainment in 57709

Prairie Edge (Rapid City): "Wow. I have to agree with the other reviews for Prairie Edge. This place is amazing. I loved looking at the Native American crafts. But the best part..." more
Reptile Gardens (Rapid City): "Oh.my.GOD!!!! This has to be the world's largest collection of reptiles in the entire world...where do I even begin? They have snakes you can't see..." more
Watiki Indoor Water Park (Rapid City): "I like Watiki, and so do my kids, they always have a good time here, and if i don't want to get in the water I just bring my computer and get some work..." more
The Berlin Wall Exhibit (Rapid City): "Free of charge, open to public, located outdoors in Rapid City's Memorial Park, walking distance of rose gardens. Features two 12 ft segments of the..." more
On Your Toes School of Dancing (Rapid City): "I am not impressed with the non-professional feel of this "school" of dance. Also, the kids don't really learn anything that's technical, seems like it's..." more

Dining Reviews for Rapid City, South dakota

Rapid City is about 45 minutes from Wall.

Here's what Yelpers have to say about Food in 57709

Corn Exchange the (Rapid City): "Sure the food is good. I think you can glean that from the previous reviews but ask yourself before you go: Is $20 chops worth watching the owner/proprietor..." more
Jerry's Cakes & Donuts (Rapid City): "You would be an absolute IDIOT, if you were in the neighborhood and did not stop here for an apple fritter. These guys literally ROCK! They are packed and..." more
B & L Bagels (Rapid City): "OMG!!!! This place is really awesome. The staff is especially friendly and helpful. The food is really great. You should go there !" more
Smith Liquor Gallery (Rapid City): "If you ever find yourself in Rapid City and need to stock up on alcohol Smith Liquor Gallery is a great place to stop in. This well laid out store carries a..." more
Culver's Frozen Custard Butterburgers (Rapid City): "At first glance my initial reaction to a "butterburger" was somewhat befuddled. What on earth is a butterburger?!! Apparently a piece of nice lean beef. Not..." more

South Dakota on Flickr

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Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota

Wall Drug Store

History of Wall Drug Store

Signs All Over the World

Plenty To Keep You Busy