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

Radio Station WFAT

February 6, 2022

1. Radio Station WFAT Marker

Inscription. On June 21, 1922, on the second floor of this building, WFAT began operation as Sioux Falls' first radio broadcasting station. Charles Norton, a local enthusiast, assembled and was the first to operate the transmitting apparatus owned by the Sioux Falls Daily Argus Leader. WFAT broadcasts aired on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings between 7 and 9 p.m. The Williams Piano Company, which occupied the first floor, arranged for live local talent for musical programs and also supplied recordings. Religious broadcasts were provided on Sundays. Baseball scores and daily noon market reports were regularly announced. A receiving set and loud speaker were rotated among city parks and other locations to demonstrate the new medium. In August the Argus Leader reported that over 200 Sioux Falls residents owned receiving sets.

WFAT was one of 30 radio stations in the nation that transmitted a reconstructed version of the 1922 World Series. A prominent Sioux Falls broadcaster who began his career at WFAT was radio pioneer Verl Thomson. This station was the second one licensed in South Dakota, and it operated regularly until March

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1923, then only occasionally. Columbus College purchased and operated WFAT until 1924 when it was discontinued. In 1926 the equipment was again sold and was used to establish radio station KSOO.

Erected 1998 by the Minnehaha County Historical Society and Sioux Falls Area Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1922.

Location. 43° 32.717′ N, 96° 43.688′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Downtown. It is on South Main Avenue south of West 10th Street (State Highway 42), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 S Main Ave, 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

Radio Station WFAT Marker, from the north image. Click for full size.

February 6, 2022

2. Radio Station WFAT Marker, from the north

Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Radio Station KSOO (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nils A. Boe (about 400 feet away); Site of First Home (about 400 feet away); Lt. Jonas Lien (about 400 feet away); Hattie C. Phillips (about 400 feet away); Tasunke-Ota (about 500 feet away); Sculptor H. Daniel Webster (about 500 feet away); Horse-Drawn Streetcars (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

Radio Station WFAT Marker, from the south image. Click for full size.

February 6, 2022

3. Radio Station WFAT Marker, from the south

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2022. This page has been viewed 355 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2022.