Caroline "Carrie" Celestia Ingalls Swanzey

 Caroline "Carrie" Celestia Ingalls Swanzey – The Quiet Yet Resilient Sister of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Born on August 3, 1870, Caroline “Carrie” Ingalls was the daughter of Charles (“Pa”) and Caroline (“Ma”) Ingalls, and the younger sister of Little House author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Introduced as a baby in Little House in the Big Woods, Carrie's character becomes more prominent as the series progresses, particularly after Mary loses her eyesight.

True to the Ingalls’ pioneer spirit, Carrie experienced a life of constant movement—born in Kansas, she lived across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and finally settled with her family in De Smet, South Dakota.

Though she briefly explored teaching, Carrie found her passion in the printing trade. Starting at the Leader newspaper, she quickly rose to become a skilled printer and journalist, mastering everything from typesetting to editing and bookbinding. Her talents caught the eye of newspaper magnate E.L. Senn, who gave her opportunities to travel and work across South Dakota.

Carrie also spent time in Colorado and Wyoming (1905–1907) to treat chronic health issues before returning to South Dakota, where she homesteaded near Topbar. For several years, she lived half the year in a tar paper shack on her land and the other half with family in De Smet.

In 1911, she was sent to manage newspapers in the Black Hills region, eventually settling in Keystone. In 1912, she married David Swanzey, a widower with two children. David played a role in selecting the site for Mount Rushmore, and his son Harold worked on the monument as one of its 400 laborers.

Carrie cared for her blind sister Mary until her passing in 1928. Though she never gained the renown Laura did, Carrie lived a life defined by strength, resilience, and quiet determination—a true pioneer woman.

Today, her legacy lives on in Keystone, South Dakota, where the local historical museum celebrates her birthday each year with cake, crafts, and costumes—a tribute to a life simply lived, but profoundly meaningful.