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

The Tennis Courts

— McKennan Park —

November 17, 2023

1. The Tennis Courts Marker

Inscription. The first tennis courts in McKennan Park were constructed in 1909. These grass and clay courts were in use until 1945 when the tennis courts were rebuilt out of concrete. McKennan Park became well known for both recreational and championship tennis and instruction. Lights were added in 1953. Popular tennis heroes were regularly seen at the park contributing to its reputation as a premier tennis destination in South Dakota.

McKennan Park Youth Tennis Players, circa 1950s. Image courtesy SD Tennis Hall of Fame.

Over the years, the Sioux Falls Tennis Association has partnered with the park system to maintain the courts' excellence. During the 1950's, the courts were flooded in the winters, providing many ice skating memories for neighborhood residents.

Erected by Friends of McKennan Park Neighborhood Association with grants by City of Sioux Falls Neighborhood Association Program and Mary Chilton Chapter NSDAR Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 43° 31.963′ N, 96° 43.305′ W.

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Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It can be reached from South 4th Avenue south of East 21st Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in McKennan Park, on the south side of the tennis courts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 E 26th St, Sioux Falls SD 57105, 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: The Miniature Village (within shouting distance of this marker); McKennan Park World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo (about 400 feet away); The Formal Gardens, Caretaker's Lodge & Greenhouse (about 400 feet away); Col. Melvin Grigsby (1845-1917)

November 17, 2023

2. The Tennis Courts Marker

(about 400 feet away); Lady Liberty (about 400 feet away); The Helen McKennan Home (about 400 feet away); The Sunken Garden (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

The Tennis Courts Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.

November 17, 2023

3. The Tennis Courts Marker, from the east

November 17, 2023

4. The Tennis Courts Marker

The Tennis Courts (west) image. Click for full size.

November 17, 2023

5. The Tennis Courts (west)

Tennis Courts Reconstruction Project Marker image. Click for full size.

November 17, 2023

6. Tennis Courts Reconstruction Project Marker

1982
McKennan Park Tennis Courts

City Commission
Rick Knobe Mayor
Dick Peterson Park Commissioner
Harold Wingler Commissioner

Park Board
Richard Sweetman H.R. "Bob" Cook
Gene Kean Glen Jamtgaard
Julianne Simko
Kenneth J. Munro, Supt. of Parks
Sioux Falls Tennis Association

South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame Marker, Side One image. Click for full size.

November 17, 2023

7. South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame Marker, Side One

The Hall of Fame preserves the history and heritage of tennis in South Dakota. Its hope is to use the inspiration of the past to inspire future growth and development of tennis.
Honored are athletes, coaches and others for distinguished involvement with tennis.
Either on the court, or alongside it, those honored in the Hall of Fame have enriched tennis by their presence.
1991 Floyd "Lefty" Johnson | 1991 Marion "Buck" Shane
1992 Don Grebin | 1992 Phil Trautner
1993 Dave Weber | 1993 John Simko
1994 Libby Rogers | 1994 C. C. Lee
1994 Douglas W. Smith | 1995 Warren L. Opheim
1995 Sally Clayton | 1995 Bill Clayton
1995 Robert "Jolly" Carlson | 1996 Jim Holwerda
1996 Ross Fenn | 1996 Lu Holwerda
1997 Carol Stewart | 1997 Jim Van Gerpen
1997 Gerald Sayler | 1998 Chris Dummermuth
1998 Marty Johnson | 1999 Mike Trueblood
1999 Horace Barton | 1999 John Barton
2000 Jamie Volin | 2000 Terry Nielsen
2001 Pam Gefke | 2001 Don Barnes
2002 Sherwood Hatch | 2002 Joan Griffin
2003 Mary Thompson | 2003 Craig Sandvig

South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

November 17, 2023

8. South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame Marker, Side Two

2004 Tom Weber | 2004 Carol Sandvig
2005 Mignonne Schwebach | 2005 Randy Stolpe
2006 Tom Clayton | 2006 Billy Clayton
2007 Mike Trautner | 2007 Karen Wakey Obert
2008 Nancy Rost | 2008 James "Skip" Spensley
2009 Daryl Paluch | 2009 Fred Fischer
2010 Karen Bernard Heege | 2009 Phyllis Hunter
2010 Larry Cantine | 2010 Mike Hoeger
2011 Linda Kopriva McClanahan | 2011 Jeff Nelson
2012 Dick Hahn | 2012 Nancy Driggs Hougland
2013 Pat Rost | 2013 Anne Craney Olson
2014 Bob Fishback | 2014 Terry Jordre
2015 Randy Kochenderfer | 2015 Tom Line
2016 Theresa Bell Ward | 2016 Cynthia Borgen
2017 Duke Paluch | 2017 Jim Sorrell
2018 Jessie Daw | 2018 Tom Krueger
2019 Jeannie Craney Norwine | 2019 Kevin Grebin
2020 Angela Breitag Kopfer | 2020 Chad Larson
2020 Tonya Breitag Novak | 2021 Scott Novak
2021 Cindy Huether | 2022 Ripper Hatch
2022 Liz Hamburg | www.sdtennishall.com
Plaque donated by the Sioux Falls Tennis Association, the South Dakota Tennis Association and the Bill and Sally Clayton family, in memory of Robert M. Clayton (1957-1991).

South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame Marker, Side Three image. Click for full size.

November 17, 2023

9. South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame Marker, Side Three

2023 Becky Blue | 2023 Pat Moran

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2023. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on December 26, 2023.