Feature of the Month
"Rest Haven - Lake Andes, SD "

Written on 3.29.09

This is the third edition of the Feature of the Month for the South Dakota Rock & Roll Music Association. We are rock and roll fans, and looking to write a feature each month, that will not only bring back wonderful memories, but will also remind us all of the history that was made in our great state of South Dakota. We are hoping to write a feature each month selecting one of the many talented Bands, DJ's, Radio Stations, and Dance Halls throughout SD.

In 1914 some small cabins were built on the shore of Lake Andes. They were rented out to families for weekends and other times during the summer months. A short time later a dance hall was built on pilings in the water and was reached by taking a walk on a 700 foot long foot bridge, which must have been both an adventure and a challenge. This was called Rest Haven.

A storm demolished Rest Haven in July of 1922 but a man named Henry Miller purchased some land on the lake in an area about three and one half miles east of the town of Lake Andes He built some cabins and later added a hotel with a dance hall complete with a concrete veranda. A swimming pool was added at a later date. This proved to be a very popular destination as people came from all over the Midwest. There was fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hunting and of course some of the best entertainment in the state, including Lawrence Welk.

Dances were held at Rest Haven every Friday night as well as other times. As it's popularity grew it was not uncommon to see a long line of people at the door. In the early years it was the orchestras and big bands that provided the entertainment but in the late fifties rock and roll arrived on the scene and was the new rage. Residents claim that crowds were sometimes so large and so rowdy that as many as eight cops were on the grounds.

In 1984 Barney Kelly was the owner of Rest Haven. Although it was past its glory days there were still dances, roller skating and hotel guests. Unfortunately Rest Haven was a victim of a fire that destroyed this historic icon on Lake Andes.