Sioux Falls, SD

A necessity of this year's venture was to renew our South Dakota driver license, can't believe this year we'll celebrate 5 years of enjoying this gypsy lifestyle. So a stop in Sioux Falls was on the itinerary.  

The story of this stone and pipes made from it span more than 2,000 years of Plains Indian life.    The catlinite, or "pipestone", has been traditionally used to make ceremonial pipes, vitally important to traditional Plains Indian religious practices. The quarries are sacred to most of the tribe of North America, Dakota, Lakota, and other tribes of Native Americans, and were neutral territory where all Nations could quarry stone for ceremonial pipes. 

The National Monument was established  August 25, 1937, and the establishing legislation restored quarrying rights to the Indians. Today only people of Native American ancestry are allowed to quarry the pipestone.

All quarrying is done by hand with no power tools.  The Pipestone lies below a thick layer of pink-tinted Sioux Quartzite and has a vane of 12 - 24 inches thick.

Sioux Quartzite rock lines the trail through the monument. 

Winnewissa Falls

The initials of Joseph Nicollet can be seen on this rock.  He lead a mapping expedition in July, 1838 through the area. 

Sioux Quartzite formation has been created over years of weather changes.

Just an example of a carved ceremonial Pipestone Pipe.  It is polished with Beeswax.  The stem is made from sumac where a heated wire is used to hollow out the interior. 

Native American artist at work.  He has been carving for over 35 years and had a beautiful complement of his talent.   

The most famous thing that ever happened in Garretson, SD, was a meeting of the outlaw Jesse James and a ravine named Devil's Gulch. Jesse found himself in out-of-the-way Garretson in September 1876 after his gang had tried and failed to rob a bank in Northfield, MN.  According to Garretson lore, Jesse evaded capture just outside of town by spurring his horse to leap the ravine -- a feat that everyone agrees is nearly impossible. 

We agree that Jesse probably didn't jump this ravine!

Wallace L. Dow, "Builder on the Prairie" was an architect of South Dakota in the late 19th century and designed this building, Minnehaha County Courthouse in 1889.  He used the native Sioux Quartzite stone. Dow was the architect for numerous buildings throughout the upper mid-west, many of which still stand today. 

The interior courthouse features include slate stairs, granite pillars, stained glass windows, and tiled fireplaces. 16 large murals are featured on the walls and were painted between 1915 & 1917, by Norwegian Ole Running for $500.

Original chandelier  

Think we have a new driver for the Motorhome, wonder if this wagon had all the conveniences as our current "unit"?   

Downtown Sioux Falls features artist sculptures, it makes for an interesting tour.  There are over 50 throughout the downtown area. 

The Government Building located downtown was opened to the public May 17, 1895.  Designed by W L Dow and was built for $152,000.  The exterior stone is Sioux Quartzite.  The 3rd floor was added in 1911.

Can't get anymore Mechanical Engineering techie, steel, steel, gears & welding!