Downtown in Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Early Firefighting in Sioux Falls
In the 1870's Sioux Falls was threatened with several fires, causing considerable community uneasiness. A volunteer bucket brigade, equipped with leather buckets, was formed in 1877 to ease this anxiety. A raging fire, starting north of Sioux Falls in 1879, took the life of Mrs. John Fortune, a farm woman caught in its path. The fire then swept down "Brewery Hill" (North Main Ave.), threatening downtown Sioux Falls. Only the valiant effort of townspeople kept damage at a minimum.
In 1880, a group of volunteer firefighters organized the Cascade Hook and Ladder Company. Four years later a 2,600 lb. fire alarm bell was purchased by the City Council and mounted in a fire tower (NE corner of 9th St. and Dakota Ave.), but within the year, a lightning bolt split the fire tower from top to bottom. By 1889, the volunteer fire department included a hook and ladder company, a two horse combination hose wagon, several hose companies and a chemical company.
The volunteer firemen were the pride of the city and received praise and honors for their skills and efficiency. Even so, the volunteers were not able to quell the disastrous fire which destroyed the landmark Cataract Hotel, the social center of the city, on June 30, 1900 (NW corner of 9th St. and Phillips Ave.). The citizens of Sioux Falls were shocked into the realization that their growing city needed highly trained, full-time paid firefighters. In response, a month later the City Council created an eight man salaried fire department, augmented by 15 "minute men" unpaid volunteers.
This firefighting facility, the Central Fire Station, when built in 1912, was "the only building in South Dakota to be used exclusively for fire purposes". The old 1885 fire alarm bell was installed in an 80 ft. bell tower. The tower was also used for the hanging and drying of fire hoses. The station had 11 horse stalls in the back with a hay loft on the second floor. When the fire alarm bell sounded, the horses were trained to quickly trot to their places in front of the fire wagons where suspended harnesses were dropped on their backs and snapped into place. The horses were retired and replaced by motorized fire trucks in 1917. An era had ended.
Erected 1994 by Minnehaha County and South Dakota State Historical Societies, the Sioux Falls Area and Mary Chilton DAR Foundations and Sioux Falls Firefighters Assn., Local 814. (Marker Number 542.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Historic Bells, and the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 43° 32.828′ N, 96° 43.867′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of South Minnesota Avenue and West 9th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Minnesota Avenue. The marker is located at Sioux Falls Fire Station #1. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls SD 57104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The 1900 Campaign Whistlestop by Theodore Roosevelt (here, next to this marker); Dakota Conflict (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Woman's Alliance (about 500 feet away); Germania Hall (about 500 feet away); Cradle of Statehood (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Germania Hall (about 500 feet away); Dillinger Gang Bank Robbery (about 700 feet away); First Baptist Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2021. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 27, 2021. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.