Pipestone's rural small-town lifestyle with Great Plains recreation
Pipestone was named after a rock that the Sioux people used to carve ceremonial pipes. Quarries of pipestone and quartzite cliffs continue to define this prairie town — Pipestone’s noteworthy recreation sites and architecture incorporate these rocks. Secluded in the Great Plains, Pipestone is about 50 miles from Sioux Falls, the nearest major metro. The rural small town has a population of approximately 4,100, who enjoy local businesses on Main Street and quirky community events like the Water Tower Festival.
Recreation from Pipestone National Monument to Pipestone Country Club
Pipestone National Monument, located on the north side of the community, features a trail that goes to the scenic Winnewissa Falls and pipestone quarries. “It is surrounded by quartzite rocks, which is very unique to our region,” says Realtor Leslie Reese, who works with Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls and has about five years of expertise in the area. Another big attraction is Hiawatha Pageant Park, which showcases the Three Maidens, large granite boulders that Native Americans regarded as sacred.
“We have the wonderful Casey Jones State Trail, which you can hike, bike or snowmobile on,” Reese says. The trail spans about 12 miles on the eastern outskirts of Pipestone. Pipestone Country Club is a nine-hole course open to the public, located on the south side of town.
Main Street retail in downtown Pipestone
Downtown Pipestone is a walkable Main Street in the heart of the city. Many of its historic buildings display the region’s quartzite rock with pinkish-red exteriors. The district has many unique, locally owned businesses, from the florist Pipestone Floral to the boutique Geyermans Clothing Co. Main Street also has one of the city’s mainstay restaurants: Stonehouse Supper Club. This relaxed tavern serves American food and has a patio with views of downtown. More popular eateries are on the east side of town, including the breakfast spot 8th Avenue Diner and Los Tulipanes Mexican Restaurant, which serves authentic dishes like birria and enchiladas. Coborn's Grocery Store is located in the southwest part of the community.
Bungalows, ranch-style homes and contemporary homes in Pipestone
The middle of Pipestone offers streets lined with leafy maple trees and historical homes. The architecture here includes Craftsman bungalows, which range from $60,000 to $320,000. Surrounding the more established houses are midcentury ranch-style homes, which range from $110,000 to $340,000. The edges of Pipestone have contemporary homes on the market for $230,000 to $430,000, including new construction coming up on the east side of the city. “There’s a lot of potential here in town — twin homes are currently being built, and there are several lots to build new homes on,” Reese says. “I'd say the last three to four months have been moving very fast. Inventory is up,” Reese says.
Schools from Pipestone Elementary to Pipestone Senior High
Pipestone Elementary School has a B rating on Niche. Pipestone Middle School and Pipestone Senior High School have C-plus ratings. The middle and high schools are in the same building on the west side of the city. Pipestone High’s extracurriculars include Future Farmers of America, robotics and Knowledge Bowl. Minnesota West Community & Technical College, on the north side of Pipestone, offers programs for health care and agriculture.
The annual Water Tower Festival and Pipestone County Fair
The annual Water Tower Festival each June celebrates the town’s historic concrete water tower. The festivities range from live music to the Water Tower Festival Medallion Hunt, where the winner receives a medallion carved from the region’s famous pipestone rock. From late July through early August, the Pipestone County Fair is held at the fairgrounds on the east end of the community. The fair has rides, live music and a petting zoo with baby farm animals.
A 45-mile commute to Sioux Falls and more transportation
The community’s major employers include manufacturers like Truss Pros as well as the Pipestone County Medical Center & Family Clinic Avera, both located on the south side of town. “I think it's a very friendly community, and it’s very easy to commute to other larger towns,” Reese says. Via state Route 23, Pipestone is about 50 miles away from Sioux Falls. Greyhound and Jefferson Lines offer bus services on the east side of the city. The closest major airport, Sioux Falls Regional Airport, is about 45 miles away.
