Community & Labor

Whether your interest in Winner is business, family relocation, tourism, the outdoors, or civic involvement, we want you to get better acquainted with what we have to offer.

Agriculture is the main source of income and the backbone of our existence. Cooperation among all levels of the public and private sector is the key to our success. The hard working people of Winner are proud of their many accomplishments. In order for that tradition to continue, we have developed an agenda for the future. This comprehensive plan includes improvements in economic development, education, medical care, infrastructure, law enforcement, arts and recreation and environmental protection.

We want you to be a part of our future. We invite you to take a moment to acquaint yourself with our community. The following pages provide factual information to assist you with your decision making process. To that end we are confident in our ability to satisfy your goals and expectations.

History of Winner, Tripp County, South Dakota

The State of South Dakota occupies a portion of the area originally acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The area was partially explored by Lewis and Clark in the Missouri River Expedition of 1804-1806. Sioux Indians dominated the region through the period of fur trading to the middle of the 19th century.
Extensive settlement of the area began in the 1870's with the westward movement of land speculators and farmers. In 1861, the Dakota Territory was established. It was comprised of the land now included in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and eastern Montana.

Tripp County, named after lawyer and Territorial Judge Bartlett Tripp, was opened to homesteading in 1907. The City of Winner was designated as the permanent county seat in 1910 after winning the campaign for the title from the other communities in the county. The establishment of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad line through the Winner town site played a decisive role in the selection.

In 1913 Tripp County received an allotment of Chinese Ringneck Pheasants from the State Game, Fish, and Parks Department. Twelve birds were released along Dog Ear Creek. The proliferation of the birds since that time has resulted in the area becoming nationally known for the excellent hunting which is available.
The county is also known for its excellent cattle, wheat, oats and alfalfa production.