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 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 the Rosebud country or in the state as far as is known was 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 railways 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. The women organized their clubs and societies.