Country United States County Clay Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6) Area 93.5 km² Population 223 (2000) | State South Dakota Founded 1873 ZIP code 57044 Elevation 351 m Local time Friday 1:10 AM | |
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Weather 6°C, Wind W at 11 km/h, 78% Humidity | ||
Meckling is an unincorporated community in Clay County, South Dakota. Although not tracked by the Census Bureau, Meckling has been assigned the ZIP code of 57044.
Map of Meckling, SD 57069, USA
Meckling was laid out in 1873, and named in honor of Jones S. Meckling, a railroad employee.
Due to the large number of farms that grow the crop alfalfa it has become known as the "Hay Capital of the Universe". In this fertile Missouri River valley of southeastern South Dakota, alfalfa hay is certainly the crop of choice. Each August Meckling and its neighboring town Gayville, the Hay Capital of the World host the Annual Hay Days.
In 1972, the local school closed, and the residents were allowed to choose between the Gayville or Vermillion school districts. A couple of families, displeased with those choices, campaigned for an additional selection to be added: Wakonda.