MURDO

KRYSTI BARNES | MURDO FINANCE OFFICER

ASHLEY GEIGLE | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Murdo is at the crossroads of I-90 and Highway 83. The city was incorporated in 1906 and is known as the “Magic City.” The name came about because when lot sales were held, buildings were moved in immediately and Murdo appeared overnight like magic.

Originally, Murdo was an agricultural community. Agriculture thrives today alongside strong tourism. Some attractions include the world-famous Pioneer Auto Museum established in 1954, Dolloff Antiques, and 1880 Town.

One mile from city limits is the North Dam area where you can fish, boat, golf on the 9-hole Murdo Golf Course, or sharpen your skills at the shooting range. Travelers and locals both enjoy the city park for picnicking, walking on the park dam trail, and enjoying the playground equipment. Improvements are always underway at the park with help from Jones County Turner Youth Foundation. Summer finds an active swimming pool and the neighboring basketball/tennis court. There are also many activities on Sports Street at the baseball field, rodeo arena, and Jones County Sportsman’s Club.

June and July are active in Murdo with a 5k Run, Wagon Train, Murdo Ranch Rodeo and Gumbo Ridge Bronc Ride, kids rodeo playdays, and the Meghan Newsam Community Celebration, which hosts golf fun, soap box derby, kid’s activities, and a concert series.

Murdo has multiple motels and restaurants, grocery store, auto supply store, lumberyard, coffee shop, fuel stations, and much more. Murdo’s Main Street is the proud home of the offices of West Central Electric Coop, West River Lyman/Jones Rural Water, and a branch of Goldenwest Telecommunications.

The Jones County school district is the home of the Coyotes and rated in the top 20% of schools in South Dakota. Murdo hosts the longest-running high school basketball tournament, the Jones County Invitational Tournament, spanning 55 years, which is held at the Harold Thune Auditorium, on the Jerald Applebee court. It’s not unusual to catch Senator John Thune visiting his hometown during the tournament on the court he grew up playing on.

The Volunteer Emergency Services are top notch and very active. They are not only excellent but host great community functions.

Our community has progressive ideas to grow and sustain. In 2022, the Murdo Area Chamber of Commerce, Jones County Community Foundation, Murdo Development Corporation, and City Council worked together to create an Economic Development Director position and hired Ashley Geigle to help expand those ideas!

Murdo welcomes visitors and those looking for a small-town pace of life with room to grow. Make sure to keep the “MAGIC CITY” on your radar! ■