The Abandoned Town of Lily, South Dakota

Welcome to the abandoned town of Lily, South Dakota. It was dissolved in 2017 due to a population of 0. Now one, possibly two residents live in the town with all other buildings completely abandoned. Join me for a day of exploring the lost memories of this historic South Dakota town.
Links:
www.DraysWorld.com
You can support Dray’s World at / draysworld
Photo Credit :
sddigitalarchi...
Lily on Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.o...
#Lily #LilySD #SouthDakota #Abandoned #AbandonedSouthDakota #AbandonedTown #HistoricSouthDakota #AbandonedHouse #draysworld #siouxfalls #urbanexploration

[@will1031]

I have lived in Lilly all my life, my parents lived, my grandparents, and my great grandparents. We love Lilly.

[@DraysWorld]

I love it too. You live in a special place in the world. Thanks for watching

[@snwrist_3]

Spelling? 😆You sure you live there?

[@JoJo-oc2zp]

Jesus has blessed your family for generations. ❤

[@charlessaylor4945]

What street you live on

[@twoshovels100]

WOW!! BRO!! I love SD!!! & I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!! I would live in Lilly!! Very cool video!!! Thank you!!!

[@rodneyss19]

All I can think about when I see places like that are all the good times that must have been had there. It's so sad to see them end up like that and vandals come in and destroy what isn't theirs. Thanks for the tour.

[@privatepilot4064]

Where do you think our government is going to put all these people coming across our border? Makes you wonder.

[@ellebelle8515]

I agree. Families settled, children raised, schools and churches places of happy gatherings. Also real life sadness and losses, but meaningful life stories. My thought about vandals is that they have among the lowest level of character and self-respect, leave alone respect for others.

[@HeronPoint2021]

@@privatepilot4064 you don't move to places like this if you're afraid of work.

[@porcupinepunch6893]

​@@privatepilot4064 I can guarantee you that the people crossing the border aren't the ones vandalizing these places

[@lynnnordby6924]

My mom and dad taught school there just before World War 2. Wow! I wish they were still around to see this.

[@yankeejohn58]

My Father's Final Parish was at the Lutheran in Lily-Butler, he passed away in May of 1978, they lived in the Parsonage on the east of the Railroad Tracks. The Railroad stopped running in the late 1970's

[@charlessaylor4945]

Church still there my mom bought it for Buffalo Plains Historical society. He funeral was there

[@mihirkarnick]

perfect place to lead a quite life away from the modern lunatics in the society

[@waynetaylor8082]

You make a great point, however if in need of emergency services, how far a drive to the nearest Hospital?

[@earllutz2663]

One of the comments hinted that it would be a good place to [ get away from it all] and I agree. No where for folks like antifa and similar minded WOKE groups, to get their 15 minutes of fame.

[@jj-eo7bj]

Too far to drive to get supply’s ,makes no sense to live there anymore

[@opossumgrylls3275]

Yes but probably no internet except starlink.

[@opossumgrylls3275]

​@@jj-eo7bj too far to drive is pretty much the exact point.

[@kendramckenna7312]

There’s a lot of dead towns in at area of the country N. And S. Dakota Montana a lot of them were railroad towns that have died off over the years. This town of lily still seems relatively intact and a pretty solid little town. Thank you for sharing.

[@HeronPoint2021]

One heck of a baseball team with all the kids born after WW2!!

[@SamMaass-s5h]

The railroad doesn't go through there anymore. It is north of there close to Highway 12.

[@tracyteigen917]

The way the world is going, I think a lot of these abandoned towns might come back to life

[@collinreynolds-l1p]

In the early 1970's I worked with a fellow named Henry Graber on a road construction crew, the other guys said he was the mayor of Lily, he was a great guy.

[@marshm1583]

A few of my relatives were early settlers of Lily (Anders and Moses Moseson), thanks for the memory

[@richardbruce8111]

So sad to see decaying homes where good folks once lived & thrived!

[@ltcajh]

The land takes back the barns, houses, and towns. All I had to do was see the inside of the outhouse and the smell immediately returns to my memory!

[@ozarkview928]

So sad 😞 beautiful trim in the home . I hate when lovely old homes are left to rot .

[@rad5.8fox7]

It truly bothers me to see great places like this die off.

[@garyholty3892]

I went to a dance there at the legion hall while on military leave, summer of 73.

[@DraysWorld]

Cool!

[@filmguy3d]

Thank you and God Bless the souls of Lily, South Dakota. Great adventure.

[@HeidiStLouis-xu2ox]

This was so sad….I LOVE South Dakota and have spent a good part of my life there.

[@DraysWorld]

It’s an interesting state to explore. Thanks for watching

[@terrybailey4600]

Things return to dust over time and memories fade. "If this short life is all there is to hope for, then the soul is to be pitied." Thanks for sharing.

[@VinceMediaTV]

Beautiful city. I’ve never known a city could be dissolved by a court. Thank for the vlog!

[@dopedrums]

City? This is/was a small town.

[@VinceMediaTV]

@@dopedrums ok 👍🏾 thanks for info! 😒

[@slee2819]

County governments usually have a local government formation process, whereby towns or cities may apply to become incorporated. The people wishing to form the new incorporated town must show the town is viable and provide the services (police, fire, fire, water, etc.) for It’s population. In the inverse, the county may disincorporate a town or city when it can’t meet its obligations or has been shown to be corrupt.

[@VinceMediaTV]

@@slee2819 thank you

[@davidrussell8795]

@dopedrums no,it's a hamlet! A village is next up,on the list, then a town,then a city which some claim must have 70,000plp to qualify! This is neither its a dead hamlet,not even a pisshole ! To qualify as a pisshole, one has to be traveling along a designated route to and fro, and stop for refreshments and take a piss! When there's not a lot of traffic or none,it's definitely not a water hole to stop and piss! In this case, it's a dead hamlet,but someone is flying your us flag,and plowing the main drag! But the price of real-estate here would be cheap! Don't forget your 4 corner country hamlets that used to exist with a gas station,a general store,all gone !

[@hughwolfe1176]

Seeing all of the homeless people living on the streets in so many cities makes me wonder if something could be done to solve two problems… If a homeless person “homesteaded” an abandoned property for a period of time, making it livable let them remain there.

[@Johnketes54]

Nice idea, But amenities,Post office,shops,buses,Police

[@carriekoehler8619]

Only if it's a sanctuary city or state

[@neildare2508]

No!

[@marktweet7395]

The homeless require someone to support them. They wouldn’t fend for themselves

[@marktweet7395]

What is the HOA😊

[@HomeGuitarMods]

Very cool! I live close to Lily and had no idea it existed. Very cool.

[@TooLooze]

I love the respect you showed to all the buildings.

[@allenshearer]

Wish you had got a closeup of those gas pumps. Would like to have seen what gas was selling for when the station closed.

[@DraysWorld]

They were smashed. No way to tell

[@keithforeman2180]

As an illinoisan I've always enjoyed traveling thru the great plains states, in the western parts the land is virtually unchanged except irrigation in some places. It's so peaceful and people are very friendly. I hate to see our history in that part of tge country get abandoned.

[@tommccabe4000]

Brilliant narrator, stays silent sometimes and let's the images tell the story., very moving.

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you.

[@raymondfox4469]

It would have been nice if you showed the date on the newspaper and the price on the gas pump.

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

That's what I was thinking as well.

[@jordanperry3126]

This is what I like seeing and finding is places that's hidden in plain view

[@ForkInTheRoad33]

You have great content! Thank you for showing us around.

[@jackie-k]

I love old towns! It is sad to see that people spray graffiti on old buildings! Thanks for the share!

[@tx.beekeepinglady5274]

So sad, a beautiful little town.

[@papabear562]

I would love to live in a town like that. Kind of makes you wonder if old abandoned homes like the ones you found could ever be renovated and lived in again. Thanks for the video.

[@DraysWorld]

Some of them probably could. But some of them are likely best for a viewing, then raising.

[@davidrussell8795]

I've lived in a small rural village, with just a gas station and coffee bar,it had 2 billiards tables in back,surprisingly! The Blythewood general store had an old fashioned mail crib where she worked behind the screened in cage! Those of you need to realize,although this village life had some basic groceries, that city life is completely different from living out in the sticks! In town,you can probably walk to your corner store or grocery store and buy "just one item,be it bread pop,chips or smokes! This all changes when you are out in the boonies you buy 3 or 4 leaves of bread,3 bottles of pop,or a case,and likewise some other things so you don't burn up your gas and vehicle chasing just one item! Vehicles,need 2 one is your daily driver the other is your backup buggy,in case # 1 breaks down and you need parts or get to the hospital. If it's not plated ,in an emergency, all that matters is that you keep starting it once a month, and move it around so it gets lubricated.(You probably should plate it!) Don't let it get low on gas, and keep your battery charged just in case. Living in the stix requires a totally different mentality! You have to fix your problem yourself,9 out of 10 times!

[@papabear562]

@@davidrussell8795 I could totally do that. I'm retired, and I've got a routine established where I do major shopping once a week to ensure I have everything I need. I prepare meals and freeze them so I'll have food for almost an entire month, and I'm used to living alone so I don't get depressed. My car is a little one, and older, but I keep it up and get it repaired when necessary. As long as I'm within perhaps an hour of a major-ish city, I'm good. If you know of a small town that has older yet decent housing, I'm all ears! Thanks for your advice!

[@davidrussell8795]

@DraysWorld the word "razing" is how you spell it,(not raising)demolishing old buildings! Yet ,I think the word itself gets ya thinking you'll be building! a new building!

[@b-genspinster7895]

Pierre in SD is not pronounced pee-err, it is pronounced peer.

[@dalekrohse1871]

Hi. Being from South Dakota, I will offer the pronunciation of Pierre - the state capital. It is "Pier" as in what goes out into a lake to tie boats to. Good video.

[@YangTheGoddess]

The interesting thing is that it's the only abandoned town in the state to be officially dissolved ad far as i can see. Most other abandoned towns in the state were from when we had the gold boom and most were out in the hills. Though a few kept going for a while. There is one called Spokane up in the hills. It was abandoned around the 60s I think. Better check it out before its gone, the past few years some buildings have collapsed

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you!

[@medzha]

never been there personally but ive been around it. i had a teacher who grew up there though. great video!

[@TobyAva2023]

Yep..we have alot of abandoned towns here in South Dakota..thank s for covering our lovely state!

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you for watching!

[@Hueydarkangel]

Love how you go inside of places and document everything you can. Awesome video!

[@DraysWorld]

Thanks for watching

[@dantrav1927]

Great video, only wish you did this during the summer

[@DraysWorld]

Me too. It was freezing that day.

[@janicesperry7780]

Just ran across this video as I was scrolling through KZbin.Thanks for sharing this. I live not far from Lily now and have been meaning to go check it out and learn some of the history.Really enjoyed your video.

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you for watching!

[@smittysmeee]

Pierre, SD is pronounced "Peer." Don't ask us why lol. Great video! Thank you for immortalizing a small part of home and history.

[@DraysWorld]

Noted.. thanks! Thank you for watching!

[@robertjohnson6601]

It seems to me that these towns die out because the best of their young people move away looking for greener pastures. When that happens a town is doomed.

[@robertjohnson6601]

To add for my earlier entry. Good job on reporting on this town. I am a little sad watching this again but change is always happening. Even if you wish it didn't. Good job.

[@ksavage681]

No stores, no gas stations, no schools, no internet, no hospitals. Why would you live in a place like that? Most people move to where things are.

[@Johnketes54]

Shouldn't educate them except farming,20 years ago my dentist was Irish known for fixing the roads after he numbed my gum i asked him who fixes the road's in Ireland? He smiled the English

[@l.a.3479]

@@Johnketes54 Not everyone wants to be a farmer.

[@Johnketes54]

@@l.a.3479 Your missing the point, You don't give them a choice,By keeping them off school damages their education or some other means so farming is what's left,It's morally wrong but often the farm is home and a source of income, How do we manage to get so many beggars and druggies? Fool's who ventured into the city? For a better life and ended up homeless

[@johnzdrazil2140]

Thank you for sharing. So many stories.

[@carlos.a.vcarvajal6119]

Hermosa imágenes del exterior, ya se nota el abandono en las casas. Es una lastima que la economía defina donde se establece la gente y no donde quiere vivir. Gracias por compartirlo..

[@HeronPoint2021]

norwegian grandma is from the Black Hills. got a little frenchman in her from New Hampshire. It wasn't cold enough so they homesteaded in Canada. I had the honour as the oldest to actually work in the fields with them.

[@nazihater2798]

Cool video, I enjoyed it. Keep up the nice work.

[@frostycharger5911]

I live about 30 miles from this town and never even heard of it. Might go check it out some time

[@DraysWorld]

I bet it’s great without the snow.

[@JakobHill]

Lily looks a lot like the farm towns we have in Manitoba. The Interlake region in particular has nearly identical communities, all in various states of liveliness. Take a look at the village of Fisher Branch on Street view; it looks like what Lily would've looked like if it were still thriving today.

[@pixelmator]

Lily is just straight north of me, just 2 hour drive. Sad to see old towns like this.

[@alexandersupertramp789]

thanks for not talking the whole video. I appreciate that

[@Buck1954]

There is signs of on going farming in Lily. While it may no longer exist as a town, there is still life there.

[@DraysWorld]

That there is. There’s at least one family living there and it appeared one other property possibly occupied, likely during the summer farming months Thanks for watching

[@tamaramorrison355]

That was awesome. Thanks for taking us with. I'd love to be able to do this, such great things to see

[@gat0r924]

This was so cool! Found your channel by seeing the video from Palmer’s…that’s about 5mins from me and a friend shared it. Scrolling your videos and really enjoyed this one. Something very cool about finding an abandoned town like that, especially seeing it buried in the snow. It was beautiful!!

[@umpthingdifferent]

Lol glad to see we're not the only things that fall apart as they age😮 thanks for the footage

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Looks like a Wonderful place. Nice and peicful.

[@lillypad9960]

So very sad. Towns die just like the people in them. Thank you. Blessings from Michigan.

[@williebeamish5879]

Oh wow, and a paved road, too. That's nice.

[@frankstamm3734]

I remember Lily in 1980s going through there during wheat harvest

[@DraysWorld]

I bet that was a sight. Thanks for watching.

[@msmarycat5681]

Do you have 1980 pictures of town to share?

[@douggauzy6258]

I love South Dakota . If I had it all over to do over , I would have stayed and lived there . I was stationed at Ellsworth AFB . Rapid City . Had a friend from Sioux Falls 340 miles from Rapid on interstate 90 . I dated a girl from Spearfish “ Got a friend who lives in Sturgis. ! Love SD

[@davechapman7735]

thanks for such an interesting tour, I google earthed the location, so remote and historic. A very enjoyable doco. cheers from NZ

[@DraysWorld]

Thanks for watching!

[@valerierogers9609]

Pretty little place. Sad. You wonder what happened to the 4 that lived there in 2010. .. if they died, or were dying of loneliness 😔

[@TheWolfsnack]

I'll have to visit there...the price of gas looks awesome!

[@CindySperger]

About 7-10 years ago I was in Lily. The museum, the person was trying to open a museum and had a stage because he was in a band to hold concerts. There was an old cafe there. Last I knew he worked at a car dealer in Groton.

[@joesneon]

I appreciate your mind Dray. Great video!!!

[@blainenodes8182]

Thanks for walk thru of Lily s.d. from MN 🥶👍 the silent view told a story 👋

[@DraysWorld]

Although I feel like I’m leaving something out, if I don’t tell the history, I like the silent parts of these videos myself.

[@blainenodes8182]

@@DraysWorld I thought your narration& 👀told complete story...very good balance👍👍

[@chadburud5681]

Elevators popped up every 7 miles on rail lines because that's the max distance a farmer could get his grain to it in a one day's travel. Naturally towns grew up around those drop off points. With larger machinery came larger farms and these small towns died. That is sad.

[@richmcbrien1951]

i have a passion to take drives and take photos of all sorts of things one is the old houses/farmsteads that have been abandoned. I had a dream and always thought going from county to county and take photos of abandoned houses and towns. No idea how many counties there is in South Dakota but what an adventure that would be. In reality would assume could go to the county seat and find out who built the house/barn etc when they were built a lot of information is still available.

[@DraysWorld]

I love learning that history

[@richmcbrien1951]

West of watertown SD another small village guess it would be called the name is Tinkertown. Years ago it was a little spot along hwy 212 what a place to stop. It was full of antiques including an old time player piano they would always fire up. Out side they had a slab of cement and used it for dances. if my memory is correct it has been closed since the later 70`s.

[@rodneyss19]

Also that bell and bell tower is awesome. :)

[@lukehansen8593]

Awesome. When wife and I retire our target is south dakota. Keep these coming.

[@daveshewmake554]

Waubansee townsite,ks is also a Landmark

[@codychavez9839]

Sounds like a dream I wish I could live there

[@michaelmorris6575]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you

[@abbedelehanty1665]

😊 thank you for sharing

[@stevemoravec2555]

Excellent...thanks! 🇺🇸

[@DraysWorld]

Thanks for watching

[@TaylorZ2]

Awesome video but who owns all that beautiful property and buildings? For the life of me I can't understand how that works.

[@DraysWorld]

I assume the state takes the tax burden once the owner passes on, leaving the houses to decay.

[@skip123davis]

it's probably abandoned by the heirs of folks that died there. i've seen that in my own family.

[@StaceyM608]

Beautiful video. Thank you for sharing.

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you for watching

[@Solo-Road]

Good information. Thanks.

[@DraysWorld]

Thanks for watching!

[@earllutz2663]

From what I have heard about South Dakota, it sounds like a great place to live especially with the current Governor Noem in charge. But I am also old enough (74) to remember Laura Ingalls Wilder's book "The Long Winter " when it was EXTREMELY cold with EXTREME amounts of snow. For my part, I would want a good supply of food stored up.

[@DraysWorld]

It was extremely cold that day of filming. I was well protected with good gear, thankfully. As I was wandering around, I imagined the pioneers and how they survived those long winters. Thanks for watching.

[@davidrussell8795]

I'm 67,but when my gramma Russell was alive back on the 60s before she died and probably through her rural country life,she canned a lot of fruits and vegetables. The cupboards went to the ceiling 8" by 10'ish long. Large family! These were the storeage cupboards she filled with food stuffs. Today,we rely on 1 or 2 weeks worth of groceries ,between paychecks! Recent snow storms kept a lot of ppl home,but food runs out!and drinking water! Like in a movie where a retired cop hijacks a bus! His favorite line was"Always be prepared Jack!". The apocalypse is here!

[@earllutz2663]

Yes. My Grandmother who lived in the rural Tri '- state area of N.C., Tenn., & Geo. also canned. I believe that is something that would be of benefit to us today.

[@davidrussell8795]

@earllutz2663 The only problem with canning is you need to do it right or you could end up with bad rotten, dangerous food with bacteria or Salmonella in it! Salmonella kills,or can make you very sick! So,you need to know what you're doing,and date the bottles and use them up.

[@lenoraberendt750]

Really? She’s an anti-mask during a pandemic fanatic.

[@stephenperretti8847]

I liked and subscribed. I look forward to seeing other videos.

[@lonnied7709]

Thank you so much I haven't enjoyed a video this much in ages! Just subscribed too.

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you!

[@adamkushner5240]

So sad

[@miker7233]

Even in what was a small town. People come in and vandalize the place

[@DraysWorld]

Not so much here as other places more populated luckily.

[@l.a.3479]

😔

[@coopert.9290]

So sad no one ever saved the cool old Nativity. 😞

[@davidrussell8795]

No gas in a remote town,can be a real problem! No ev charger here!!our local gas station closed, nearest one is a good 20 miles away! Scary if you don't have extra gas and a ride if you don't know anybody in town!

[@l.salisbury1253]

Gettin' a STRONG last-scene-of-Blair-Witch vibe starting roughly here: 9:14 !!

[@edwardkomito7881]

I guess I am wondering who owns the land and the farms that were formally owned by the people who lived there?

[@funinisrael3366]

Awesome Town. Thanks for your work. Sub'd.

[@billsattic]

My vacations consist of exploring small towns. I think I passed through Lily in 2016? I was coming back east from trip to Yellowstone. Many abandoned towns in area if I recall.

[@DraysWorld]

There’s a lot of small towns in that part of the world that have few people residing. Thanks for watching!

[@evangelinekeeley3531]

@DraysWorld - I'm curious as to why you went exploring this little town in winter. There would have been more to see and explore if it wasn't covered in snow. I live about 6 hours north of there.

[@DraysWorld]

I was in Sioux Falls area for an event during that time and had an extra day to explore.

[@blowingfree6928]

Very interesting vid, wonder what it is like in summer and is that car valuable? If I could point out one thing; although you found it latched, you left that outhouse door unlatched (tongue not in receptacle) when you casually pushed it shut. Tut tut.. Now it will just swing slowly in the wind with an eerie creaking sound as it bangs ominously against the doorframe.......sparking a distant memory in the last couple who live there of the young mysterious traveller who tramped through Lilly one winter's day so many years before...

[@DraysWorld]

Your imagination is strong. I wonder if that door is flapping in the wind right now.. although I’m pretty sure I latched it properly after i stopped filming. At least I think I did. I guess I’ll have to go back in the summer to find out. Thanks for watching!

[@kardwise9714]

Great town to use as a movie set.

[@DraysWorld]

Good idea.

[@z978ady]

Don't imagine real estate taxes would be too high.

[@l.a.3479]

🤣🤣🤣

[@MoviemaniaNick]

Interesting town.

[@TammyMullins-jv8wm]

That's a awesome find

[@affordableadventuretours]

I would live there. Peace and quiet.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

The upside is the homeless will never go there

[@huskerjpg]

Very beautiful. Very sad. America slowly disappears.

[@flash521]

When you see a Schwann’s Ice Creat truck - there is more than hope.

[@jasontysoe2631]

Better than any city living if you ask me all the big digragatuo. Violence Litter and substance abuse you could live a clean life there and be a proud up standing citizen

[@tonyhurd5697]

Is this town for sale ?

[@williamgullett5911]

Dates on newspapers? Price of gas on gas pumps? Specifics

[@Williameagleblanket]

You should have gotten a close up of the gas pump. See what the prices are of gas was when it closed.

[@DraysWorld]

They were unreadable. You can kind of tell when I pass by them they were all smashed up.

[@franklubbock8400]

Did you leave that outhouse door unlatched? Now it’s gonna bang in the wind until one of those nice folks comes and relatches it!

[@DraysWorld]

This is the most common question on this video. Not to worry about the outhouse. I did latch it properly after the shot.

[@SD-nh5yr]

Did they have a cemetery...anyone know?