[6] The Wessington Springs townsite was founded in 1880 and platted in 1882, early in the era of agricultural settlement in the region.

[7] The town was the home of Wessington Springs College, an institution of higher learning that existed from 1887 until 1968.

[8] At approximately 7:45 PM the tornado tore through the heart of Wessington Springs and 50+ homes were destroyed, and 77 people were left homeless.

The town's emergency sirens gave residents significant advance notice to the threat, allowing residents to flee to the town's fallout shelter avoiding injury and death.

[9][10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.77 square miles (4.58 km2), all land.

38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 99.01% White, 0.40% Native American, 0.20% Asian, and 0.40% from two or more races.

39.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.