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

Josiah Phillips

February 6, 2022

1. Josiah Phillips Marker (Side one)

Inscription. Josiah L. Phillips, was born in Maine in 1835. He graduated from a Chicago medical school at the age of 21. After moving to Dubuque, Iowa, he joined the Western Town Company. In 1856 it had laid claim to a town site at the falls of the Big Sioux River. Dr. Phillips and other company men arrived a year later to occupy and improve the new town site: Sioux Falls City, Minnesota Territory.

As a surgeon in the Union Army during the Civil War, Phillips was with General Sherman's Army on its march from Atlanta to the sea. In 1867 he married Hattie C. Dagget. After Fort Dakota closed in 1869, he returned to Sioux Falls.

Hattie and two-year-old daughter Annie joined him in 1870. The officers' quarters of the abandoned fort became the family home. That winter Phillips surveyed streets and lots from 6th to 9th streets between Minnesota and Phillips avenues. His 1871 plat was the first for the village and was the beginning of a personal fortune. He died suddenly in 1882 at the age of 47.

Phillips Avenue, a central city artery, was named in honor of Dr. Josiah and Hattie Phillips.

Erected 2005 by the Mary Chilton DAR Foundation, the Minnehaha County Historical Society, and in honor of Hannah Young.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Forts and Castles • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 43° 32.926′ N, 96° 43.619′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of North Phillips Avenue and West 8th Street, on the right when traveling south on North Phillips Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Cigar Manufacturing (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Dakota, D.T. (within shouting distance of this marker); 8th Street Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Traverse (within shouting distance of this marker); Overflow (within shouting distance of this marker); Course (within shouting distance of this marker); Launch (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cataract (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

Josiah Phillips Marker <i>(Side two)</i> image. Click for full size.

February 6, 2022

2. Josiah Phillips Marker (Side two)

Josiah Phillips Marker, from the north image. Click for full size.

February 6, 2022

3. Josiah Phillips Marker, from the north

Josiah Phillips Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

February 6, 2022

4. Josiah Phillips Marker, from the west

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2022. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 18, 2022.