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

Cathedral Historic District
⎯⎯⎯
Paving Stone Alley

 
 
Cathedral Historic District side of marker image. Click for full size.
April 22, 2023
1. Cathedral Historic District side of marker
Inscription.
Cathedral Historic District
This historic paving stone alley is an important part of the Cathedral Historic district which was placed on The National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 1974 as the first historic district in South Dakota. The Cathedral of St. Joseph is the focal point of the district. Its twin towers are a landmark for Sioux Falls. From the standpoint of period architecture (1872-1925) and the leadership of its early residents it is recognized as the best residential district in South Dakota. In 2010 it was listed as one of the ten best neighborhoods in the United States.

Paving Stone Alley
The only remaining paving stone alley in Sioux Falls, this is an example of the surface of downtown Phillips Avenue in 1888. The city let a contract to replace the existing dirt (and mud) street with this type of paving stone surface. As newer material for streets and alleys became available the quartzite paving stones were torn up or paved over. Only this alley and a part of 6th St. hill remain with the original paving stone surface.
 
Erected 2014 by the Minnehaha County Historical Society.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
 
Location.
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43° 33.069′ N, 96° 44.092′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Axtell Park. It is on West 6th Street west of North Duluth Avenue, on the left when traveling west. 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: Quartzite Paving Stones (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Cemeteries (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kaufmann House Mystery (about 400 feet away); 215 N Duluth Avenue (about 700 feet away); U.S. Senator R.F. Pettigrew (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Prehistoric Prayer Rock (approx. 0.2 miles away); Congregation Sons of Israel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Martin Luther King (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. Prehistoric Prayer Rock (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
 
Paving Stone Alley side of marker image. Click for full size.
April 22, 2023
2. Paving Stone Alley side of marker
Cathedral Historic District / Paving Stone Alley Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.
April 22, 2023
3. Cathedral Historic District / Paving Stone Alley Marker, from the east
Cathedral Historic District / Paving Stone Alley Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.
April 22, 2023
4. Cathedral Historic District / Paving Stone Alley Marker, from the west
Paving Stone Alley image. Click for full size.
April 22, 2023
5. Paving Stone Alley
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2023. This page has been viewed 379 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 6, 2023.
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Jun. 23, 2026