An array of wagons, treasures representing the western way of life on the Great Plains and Old West collectibles are just a few of the items that will be housed in the Kyle Evans Western Heritage Center which is currently in the planning and fundraising stages.
According to Kyle Evans Memorial Wagon Train and Heritage Center Planning Committee members, the vision of the center is “to build a center that takes visitors back in time to experience the freedom, excitement and nature of cowboy life.”
“It all started with a hare-brained idea Jerry (Fastnacht) and I had on way home from a wagon train in the Badlands in 2011,” said Mark Reindl, Committee Treasurer. “Why can’t we do our own wagon train? And maybe we could commemorate this to Kyle Evans life, travels and award-winning country singing and songwriting.”
Upon returning home to Wessington Springs, Reindl and Fastnacht “called the troops together,” organizing a meeting at the Ampride.
“Wagon trains are all about preserving western heritage and the western way of life,” Reindl explained. “As we discussed it more, we started going down the path of wanting to display Kyle’s old stagecoach, the Buggy Seat Cowboys Centennial Wagon and other western memorabilia. We just needed a spot to do it.”
Reindl and Fastnacht thought a good idea to raise funds for the idea was to charge a fee to participate on the wagon train.
“The wagon train we were on charged a fee that went to the Shriners in Sioux Falls to help kids,” he said. “We decided to charge a fee to eventually go toward a western heritage center down the road.”
In addition to the fee to participate in the annual Kyle Evans Memorial Wagon Train, the committee holds raffles and drawings to generate about $8,000 annually.
“We get sponsors and donations and now, additional funding is generated through fees from the 30x60 tent available for the community to rent and use,” explained Phil Wipf, Committee President.
The success of the fundraising efforts of the wagon train relies heavily on volunteers.
“There is a lot of volunteer time behind this and not just from committee members,” Landowners are a big thing. Planning the route takes a ton of time.
The 50 ‘ x 150’ lot located on Dakota Avenue in between Farm Bureau and Winter Service and across the street from the Opera House was purchased several years ago.
“Visibility is important and the center will complement the Opera House immensely,” stated Reindl. “It’s another reason that location was chosen.”
The estimated total for building construction is $200,000.
“With the cash we have on hand and pledges we’ve already secured, the non-profit wagon train committee has close to $75,000 now,” said Wipf. “There are many financial support options including the flexibility to give over three years. People can mail in donations and also Venmo.”
Committee members say that the center will be open during special events in town such as the 4th of July, Wagon Train weekend, Foothills Days, WSHS Homecoming and Opera House concerts. They also added that if visitors are in town and want to experience the center, there will be a designated number to call.
'Everything we have done so far and have planned for the future supports local — we try to shop in town first. We do as much in the community and for the community as we can,” said Reindl. “What’s so unique about the design of this building is that you can walk up to the front windows and be able to see the stagecoach and other memorabilia.” He also added that the1600 square foot, 40x40 building is designed to add on to it easily if more space is needed.
Those interested in donating or to find out more information about the project can contact Phil Wipf, 605350-1558 or Mark Reindl, 605-350-3742 or email westernheritagecenter@wessingtonsprings.org.
