The city of Lennox is filled with charm. See the Municipal Band perform at the park every Thursday night during the summer, check out the Garden Club, or stop by for their Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration. When you’re not there for an event, make a day of it with these four locations…
Established 1879
For an Attraction
CHERYL’S DOLL HOUSE
900 W. 1st Ave.
Cheryl Cressman loves dolls so much, she has an entire house devoted to them.
“I started collecting dolls in the late ‘70s, early ‘80s. I got so many dolls I needed some place to put them, so I bought a house for them,” she said.
Cressman moved the house from Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls, and opened the museum full of doll exhibits in 2005.
While there are a variety of dolls, they are primarily made of porcelain.
“I would go to the state fair and there would be porcelain dolls for $300-$400, and I couldn’t afford them. So when I could afford them, I started buying them,” she said.
Cressman started with around 300 dolls, and has accumulated around 800.
The house has seen a variety of guests, including tours for children and adults who want to reminisce about dolls they once owned.
Along with the exhibits is a shop with clothes Cressman created with American Girl dolls in mind.
“I can also custom make outfits for any doll,” she said. She currently is creating a replica of a wedding dress for a future bride.
There are a handful of porcelain dolls for sale that Cressman made herself.
Cressman can also help with light doll repairs, and works with someone who can do major repairs, if needed.
The doll house is open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, or anytime through appointment.
cherylsdollhouse.com
(605) 647-0170
Orville Wiebers is the mayor of Lennox
For Shopping
MAYME JANE’S GIFT AND ACCESSORIES BOUTIQUE
313 N. Main St.
When you enter Mayme Jane’s Gift and Accessories Boutique, you feel at home. This could be for many reasons, including that the location used to be a home itself.
Owner Tonya Ringen named the 500 square-foot boutique after her grandmother, whose photo and hat is framed near the entrance as an homage.
“We try to give all of our guests a wonderful shopping experience,” she said.
Celebrating five years this April, the business has evolved and changed with their inventory. Mayme Jane currently sells products from 10 vendors from around the area. You can find items like children’s books, baby items, candles, custom aprons, wooden hand-turned bowls, cookbooks, soaps, and more.
Ringen welcomes guests to sit at the Victorian table in the boutique and enjoy fresh-baked cookies while they shop.
Winter hours are Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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(605) 744-0744
LOCAL VENDORS
One of Mayme Jane’s most popular local vendors is Drake Wood Works from Lennox. This talented treenware maker creates bowls, plates, and utensils in a studio workshop.
Lennox was named after B.G. Lennox, private secretary to S.S. Merril, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad executive. in early years, the town was known as Ben Lennox, although a short time later the first name was abandoned.
For a History
LENNOX MUSEUM AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM
305 S. Main St.
Formerly the Harney Hospital, the Lennox Area Museum was built in 1914. Elizabeth Harney, trained as a practical nurse, built the house by the backing of Dr. Samuel Young. The practice opened in 1916 with employed doctors.
There were four patient rooms, a surgery room, and the Harney family lived on the third floor. In 1984, it became museum run by the Lennox Area Historical Society.
The purpose is to collect, preserve, study, and exhibit objects that “illustrate the history of man and nature” in the area.
Member of the Lennox Area Historical Society Richard Schriever explained, “There are a lot of different angles of history in here.”
See inside the home of a person in the early 1900s, including the kitchen that has a back stairway.
“There are servant stairs in the back for taking food up and down, doing laundry, and all of that for patients,” said Schriever.
Each room showcases “mismatch-y history,” including local music, government, funerals, and more.
Most items are donated from the area, and there is an index showing the donors’ names.
Schriever said, “Lennox is a typical South Dakota small town, and this museum presents a well-preserved perspective on as much history as we can, and represents the efforts not just of the historical society, but of the people of the community in general.”
The museum is open with free admission on the Fourth of July, second Saturdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., during the Tour of Homes, and by request.
The hospital staff used a skylight to naturally light surgeries.
THE CITY HAS A TOTAL AREA OF 1.31 SQUARE MILES
For Food or Drinks
BEAMER’S PUB
102 S. Main St.
It’s hard to miss Beamer’s Pub. The motorcycle-inspired bar and grill is painted Harley Davidson orange. While the décor also follows the theme, it’s not meant to isolate those who aren’t into riding.
“’Thanks for taking a ride’ is our theme,” said owner Jim Dover. “We’re geared towards motorcycles, but that’s not the only people we cater to for patrons.”
Belly up to the bar and try a hard drink, like their popular Picnic Basket Bloody Mary, which is created with Dover’s homemade mix. Enjoy a daily lunch special Wednesday through Friday. “We also have a leftover program, too, so if someone comes in at 5 o’clock and wants it, it’s available,” said Dover.
Daily specials include Lasagna with Texas Toast, Cheesy Hashbrowns and Ham, and Pork Loin Salad with Toast and Tomato Soup.
Dover is proud of their greaseless fire cooking. “It’s way healthier food, because it’s not made in grease,” he explained.
Menu items are available, like Roskens Pizza (with flavors like Chicken Alfredo, All Meat, and Deluxe), a variety of cheeseburgers, Chicken Strips, Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich, and Mesquite Chicken Quesadilla Rolls.
PATRONS ARE OFTEN GREETED BY DOVER’S SCHNAUZERS, BENNY AND RALO.
Beamer’s moved from their smaller location to their new, larger space last June. This gave more room for a lottery room, games, and monthly band performances.
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(605) 647-2326
