Railroads

In 1878 the first rail service arrives in Sioux Falls and within 10 years 5 more lines arrive in town. This would take Sioux Falls population from a few hundred to over 10 thousand by 1890. The railroad had a huge role to play in the Great Dakota Boom that was happening around us. Advancement in farming techniques, the homestead act, railroads and of course really good and sometimes completely false PR about the land all added to European Americans and immigrants wanting to relocate to the Wild West of Dakota territory, our little piece of prairie. The Great Dakota boom would last throughout the 1870s and 1880s.   

This area of Sioux Falls is full of Railroad history as the plaque suggests. Not too far away is a great mural ohmage to this history by Zach Deboer. Located on Monks building you can get a great view of it on the patio of Covert Wine Cellars as well. The artist based this off of a photo from the Great Northern rail line located near the area of the mural.   

Zach DeBoer