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

The Amidon Stone House

February 6, 2022

1. The Amidon Stone House Marker

Inscription. In 1862 near this spot, next to a small creek which drained into the Big Sioux River, stood the stone house of Judge Joseph and Mabala Amidon. The house was built of rough quartzite, set with homemade mortar and roofed over with small poles, sod, dirt and brush. It was like most houses in Sioux Falls City, Dakota Territory.

On August 25 the Judge and son William, aged 18, left to make hay on the high ridge two miles north. At sundown, Mrs. Amidon raised an alarm because the men had not returned. The Dakota Cavalry detachment searched, but the bodies of the missing men were not found until morning. The Judge died from a rifle bullet in the back and William from a number of arrows. They were casualties of the Sioux Uprising in Minnesota, which had erupted a week earlier.

After all the settlers fled, the Santee Sioux destroyed the village including the Amidon stone house. In 1865 federal troops built Fort Dakota, but settlers did not again occupy the town site until 1869.

Erected 1998 by Minnehaha County Historical Society, Sioux Falls Area Foundation, and Minnehaha Century Fund.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is August 25, 1862.

Location. 43° 32.708′

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N, 96° 43.361′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Downtown. It is on South 3rd Avenue east of South 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located in Fawick Park in Sioux Falls. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sioux Falls SD 57104, 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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thomas L. Fawick (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gaslight Era (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yesterday (about 500 feet away); Fort Sod (about 600 feet away); Site of Fort Sod (about 600 feet away); Incident at Fort Sod (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Sod (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Industrial Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

February 6, 2022

2. The Amidon Stone House Marker

The Amidon Stone House Marker in Fawick Park image. Click for full size.

February 6, 2022

3. The Amidon Stone House Marker in Fawick Park

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2022. This page has been viewed 510 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 13, 2022.