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

Railroads

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2016

1. Railroads Marker

Inscription. The Great Dakota Land Boom took place from the late 1870s through the 1880s. This influx of settlers was driven largely by rapid railroad expansion. In 1878, the first rail service arrived in Sioux Falls and by 1888 it had five lines. The population of Sioux Falls swelled from 356 in 1870 to over 10,000 by 1890.

Completed in 1887, the Illinois Central was the fourth major railroad to come to Sioux Falls. The line went through the quarry town of East Sioux Falls and connected Sioux Falls to Chicago, Illinois, via Cherokee, Iowa. Richard F. Pettigrew, Edwin A. Sherman, and Russell G. Parmley worked together to secure land for the depot and right-of-way for the tracks.

Erected by Big Sioux River Recreation Trail and Greenway, and Siouxland Heritage Museums.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 43° 33.031′ N, 96° 43.448′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from North Cherapa Place south of East 6th Street. Marker is located along the Big Sioux River Recreation Trail, overlooking the river. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 North Cherapa Place, Sioux Falls SD 57103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Industry (here, next to this marker); Manchester Biscuit Company (a few steps from this marker); Raven Industries (a few steps from this marker); Quarries (within shouting distance of this marker); Flooding (within shouting distance of this marker); Recreation (within shouting distance of this marker); Urban Renewal (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Sioux Falls (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted at eye-level on a tall stone pillar.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Illinois Central Depot, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Marker detail: Illinois Central train, ca. 1929 image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Illinois Central train, ca. 1929

Marker detail: Steam Locomotive image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Steam Locomotive

Marker detail: Illinois Central Depot, 1890 image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Illinois Central Depot, 1890

Marker detail: American Express delivery wagon loading freight at Illinois Central Depot, ca. 1898 image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: American Express delivery wagon loading freight at Illinois Central Depot, ca. 1898

Marker detail: Illinois Central Depot, 1978 image. Click for full size.

6. Marker detail: Illinois Central Depot, 1978

Marker detail: Illinois Central Depot, 2011 image. Click for full size.

7. Marker detail: Illinois Central Depot, 2011

Marker detail: Illinois Central Depot, Big Sioux River, and downtown Sioux Falls, ca. 1891 image. Click for full size.

8. Marker detail: Illinois Central Depot, Big Sioux River, and downtown Sioux Falls, ca. 1891

Railroads Marker (<i>wide view; Big Sioux River and Raven Industries building in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2016

9. Railroads Marker (wide view; Big Sioux River and Raven Industries building in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 353 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on October 11, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 11, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.