Life Magazine once proclaimed Sioux Falls, South Dakota as the “healthiest city in the United States.” A spread-out community of 200,000 people, it lies midway between Minneapolis, MN and Rapid City, S.D. We stopped there for a day in August of 2017 on our way to Mount Rushmore.
Sioux Falls lies between two Interstates: I-90 and I-29. One can argue that Sioux Falls lies in the heart of the Great Plains. We found a comfortable Hampton Inn along I-29.
Across the parking lot was an enticing Outback Steakhouse. We could not resist.
Our first project of exploration was seeing what remained of the USS South Dakota. The outlines of the ship are displayed.
Most of the original ship is scrap metal today. The community is proud of the role BATTLESHIP X (special Code name for the USS South Dakota) played in during WWII. The ship played an important part in the battle for Guadalcanal against the Japanese in 1942.
A free informative museum displays many of the artifacts and photos from the ship.
Donations are gladly accepted as this museum is operated by a non-profit organization.
One of the docents did relate that there is a “controversy” revolving around the ship. There are some that feel that the USS South Dakota should have been the battleship to accept the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay. As you may recall, it was the USS Missouri, aka “Mighty MO,” that was there. The USS Missouri is a bigger ship, though, and the U.S. President Harry S. Truman, was from Missouri.
We found our stop worthwhile getting to know more of our USA history.
The community is not inundated with high-rises like many USA cities.
There are a number of interesting and well-constructed homes in Sioux Falls.
Our second stop was seeing the church on the hill.
The Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph reminds us of the churches we have seen in Europe.
Completed in 1919 for just over $300,000, it stands out overlooking the city of Sioux Falls. One of the early Bishops of the diocese was named “Martin Marty.”
Falls Park was our last stop. These cascading falls over the Big Sioux River are not as large as many other famous falls in the United States. Nonetheless, Sioux Falls in quite interesting.
It is the largest park in the region and it includes an observation tower.
There is also a café and the remains of an old mill.
An old mill from the 1880’s still exists.
We love the green grass. The grass is inviting to sit on.
There are a number of sculptures in the park.
Historically, Indians were here over 14,000 years ago. There is evidence of over 10 different tribes that have settled in this region. The French were the first ones to explore the area in the early 18th century. These falls were also explored by Lewis and Clark on their 1804 journey. Now, the Bielicki’s have left their mark.
