This historic building opened its doors in 1903 and was made possible by local funds and a matching grant from Andrew Carnegie that helped create hundreds of public libraries. The building served as the city's library until 1972. From 1972 to 1999, the building was home to the Civic Arts Center . From 2001 to the present, the building operates as the center of Sioux Falls city government.
Architecturally, First Congregational Church is considered one of the best examples of the Richardsonian Romanesque style in South Dakota. Built in 1907 with quartzite stone, the church features three towers of unequal height (two are located on the front facade and the third is at rear of the building), semi-circular arches, stained glass windows, and other notable decorative details.
The United States Courthouse in Sioux Falls is historically significant in two ways: it is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture, and its construction in 1895 signified the federal government's commitment to westward expansion. In terms of architecture, the building, which was expanded on a few occasions, the building features a rose-colored quartzite stone (also known as jasper) facade, arches, a slate roof, two octagonal turrets, and other decorative elements. The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and has remained an important landmark.
Built in 1912 by Frances G. Carpenter, the widow of Sioux Falls land developer and stockyards investor, C.C. Carpenter, the building has provided first class accommodations to guests that ranged from farmers and their wives to celebrities and Royal dignitaries. The hotel later housed soldiers during WWII, operated as a college dormitory and was home to KSOO radio station. From its inception, as it does today, it boasts of its luxury, and of its fireproof nature.
Now home to an outdoor store, the former Rock Island Depot is a historic train station built in 1885. A good example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, the depot is mostly one-story tall with a second story on the eastern end and features a hipped roof and an octagonal turret. In addition to its architecture, it is historically significant in that it symbolizes both the rise and fall of passenger train service in Sioux Falls.
The Illinois Central Passenger Depot is a historic train station built in 1888 that is now home to the Sioux Falls Community Foundation, a local philanthropic organization. The depot is historically significant for its architecture and association with the city's railroading history. As for architecture, the depot is a good example of the Queen Anne style and is somewhat unique in that it is fairly elaborate for such a small building. Like many historic buildings in the city, it was built with quartzite stone and features a tower, low arches over windows and doors, and a canopy that covered what was once the passenger platform. It was built by the Illinois Central Railroad, the fourth railroad to connect to Sioux Falls, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Designed by Chicago architecture firm Weary & Alford, the Sioux Falls National Bank Building is significant for its architecture and its role in the city's economic development in the early 20th century. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was built in 1918 and is the only example of the Sullivanesque architectural style left in Sioux Falls. It was also the tallest building in the city until 1986 when the CenturyLink Tower was erected. Today, the former bank building is an upscale hotel called Hotel Phillips.
Built in just a little more than three months in 1913, the Orpheum Theater is the oldest existing theater in the city. Designed combining Neo-Classical Revival and Prairie architectural styles, it has remained an important cultural focal point for Sioux Falls ever since. The two-story building features a terra-cotta facade that resembles marble and include decorative detailing such as molded trim and garland. Inside, the building features marble wall paneling, tile floors, and murals on the ceiling and frieze areas in the auditorium, which has 1,000 seats. The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 for its architecture and status as an enduring landmark in the city. The building next door, which was erected in 1949, is part of the theater; both buildings form one facility called the Orpheum Theater Center.
The Pettigrew Home & Museum is a historic house built in 1889 and named after one of the most consequential figures in Sioux Falls' early history, Richard F. Pettigrew (1848-1926), who was instrumental in the city's growth in its early history and served as the state's first U.S. Senator. The home is a contributing property of the Cathedral Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, because of its Queen Anne architecture and association with Pettigrew. It has been a museum since 1925. Visitors can see the house, which has been restored, on guided tours and exhibits that contain artifacts that Pettigrew collected.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This short drive or extended walk of Sioux Falls begins at the former public library which was constructed in 1903 and includes landmark churches, courthouses, depots, and other historic downtown buildings as well as the Orpheum Theater and Old Courthouse Museum. The tour concludes at the Pettigrew House and Museum.
