Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Helen Gale McKennan

1841 - 1906

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 3, 2017

1. Helen Gale McKennan Marker

Inscription.

An early pioneer and land
speculator in Sioux Falls,
Helen McKennan
recognized a need for
city parks. She donated
her home and 20 acres of
adjacent land in 1906 to
become what is now
known as McKennan Park.

Martin Wanserski
Sculptor
2008

Erected 2008.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 43° 31.823′ N, 96° 43.363′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is on East 26th Street. Marker is located in McKennan Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 E 26th St, Sioux Falls SD 57105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Playgrounds & Baseball Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Sioux Falls Municipal Band (within shouting distance of this marker); The McKennan Park Pond & Wading Pool (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Formal Gardens, Caretaker's Lodge & Greenhouse (about 500 feet away); McKennan Park World War I Memorial (about 600 feet away); A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo (about 600 feet away); Lady Liberty (about 600 feet away); The Miniature Village (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

Helen Gale McKennan Marker and Sulpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 3, 2017

2. Helen Gale McKennan Marker and Sulpture

McKennan Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 3, 2017

3. McKennan Park

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 783 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.