Viborg, South Dakota

The humid atmosphere of South Dakota’s flooded farmlands made the heat doubly oppressive and made the basement of Rev. Stallknecht’s church a welcome retreat for players. The hungry players received even more enthusiastically the cool potato salad and open-face sandwiches served later by Mrs. Stallknecht in the same cool basement. The two Danish churches of Viborg sponsored the production jointly. But it was hot backstage at the DBS [Danish Brotherhood Society] hall! Paul Neve came over from Beresford to be pianist for the troupe.
From the "Ordet Odyssey," 1942.
The contact in Viborg, Reverend Stallknecht, writing mostly in Danish to Nyholm, requested 100 posters to advertise the play.
The Danish Brotherhood Society hall in Viborg, South Dakota
The original Danish Brotherhood Society hall in Viborg where the Dana students performed. (Photo courtesy of the Daneville Heritage Museum.)
Viborg, South Dakota, is named after the city of Viborg, Denmark. The town was created in 1893 when the inhabitants of the village of Daneville – bypassed by the new railroad line by half a mile – decided to relocate to be closer to the railroad. Each year, the inhabitants of Viborg celebrate Danish Days with traditional Danish food like open sandwiches and æblekage. In Viborg, you can also attend Danish language classes and become a member of the Danish Brotherhood Society. In 2004, the Daneville Heritage Museum opened. Its mission is to celebrate and document the Danish roots of the Viborg area.
1942 newspaper announcement for the Dana College theater performance in Viborg.
Newspaper announcement for the upcoming play in Viborg. Tickets could be purchased at Hansens Cafe and Nielsen's Cafe.