Clark was officially founded in 1886, three years before South Dakota became a state.

Not long after in June 1899, the local government took action, and the Clark City Council passed Ordinance No.

26 made it unlawful for a person to ride a horse or bicycle, faster than eight miles an hour down Commercial Street.

In the 1960s, when the town reached its peak population, residents from surrounding municipalities commonly traveled to Clark for work, entertainment, and to attend school with the Clark Public School System.

Many residents who called Clark home lived on family farms on the outskirts of town.

Those living in town mostly resided in relatively modest homes, and often worked in the retail stores on Commercial Street.

As the years passed and the economy of Clark changed, various stores on Commercial Street came and went.

However, the Clark water tower, the oft used grain elevators, and County Highway 212 remained in full use.

The highest point in Clark County is located near the Township of Maydell, and the unnamed peak rises to 1,930 ft.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.28 square miles (3.32 km2), all land.

40.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.