Downtown in Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Barracks of Fort Dakota
1865-1873
October 18, 2025
1. Barracks of Fort Dakota Marker
Inscription.
Barracks of Fort Dakota. Near this site in a southwesterly direction stood the Barracks of Fort Dakota. Soldiers of Company E, 6th Iowa Cavalry under Captain Daniel Eicher, built the Enlisted Men's Barracks in the summer of 1865. Made of white oak logs, the 140'x20' building was divided into 5 rooms with a central stove. Bunks were made of poles cut from local trees and were often infested with bed bugs. Kerosene was rubbed on the bunks to exterminate the bed bugs. Two men slept on one bunk, using hay-filled bed sacks as mattresses. The garrison left in 1869 and the post was abandoned. The Barracks was converted and used by newcomers to Sioux Falls such as Nyrum Phillips and R.F. Pettigrew as temporary housing. The Barracks was razed in July 1873., In 1941 a bronze tablet was placed on the front of the Hollywood Theatre by Mary Chilton Chapter NSDAR until 1990, moved to the Commerce building and disappeared in a remodel., This historical marker replaces the tablet.
Near this site in a southwesterly direction stood the Barracks of Fort Dakota. Soldiers of Company E, 6th Iowa Cavalry under Captain Daniel Eicher, built the Enlisted Men's Barracks in the summer of 1865. Made of white oak logs, the 140'x20' building was divided into 5 rooms with a central stove. Bunks were made of poles cut from local trees and were often infested with bed bugs. Kerosene was rubbed on the bunks to exterminate the bed bugs. Two men slept on one bunk, using hay-filled bed sacks as mattresses. The garrison left in 1869 and the post was abandoned. The Barracks was converted and used by newcomers to Sioux Falls such as Nyrum Phillips and R.F. Pettigrew as temporary housing. The Barracks was razed in July 1873.
In 1941 a bronze tablet was placed on the front of the Hollywood Theatre by Mary Chilton Chapter NSDAR until 1990, moved to the Commerce building and disappeared in a remodel.
This historical marker replaces the tablet.
Erected 2025 by Mary Chilton Chapter NSDAR and Minnehaha County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 43° 32.957′ N, 96° 43.599′ W. Marker is in
Click or scan to see this page online
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Downtown. It is on North Phillips Avenue north of East 8th Street, on the right when traveling north. 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Dakota, D.T. (here, next to this marker); Josiah Phillips (within shouting distance of this marker); 8th Street Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Traverse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Overflow (about 300 feet away); Cigar Manufacturing (about 300 feet away); Course (about 300 feet away); Launch (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2025. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2025.
