Soo Skyways Airport

An almost forgotten airport in the midst of what is now one of the busiest parts of Sioux Falls. This historical marker is hidden in plain sight on Kiwanis Ave near 46th street and tells us about the 21 year long run of Soo Skyways Airport.  

The Sioux Falls Airport Holding Company purchased land for an airport south of 41st Street in response to the Air Mail Act of 1925. The idea of the act was to give private contracts to carry the mail, so this was a chance for Sioux Falls to snag some of those opportunities.  The city contracted with Soo Skyways Airport Company to operate the airport, which had three grass runways Two runways made a large "X" between Western and Kiwanis Avenues, and a third east-west went along what is now 49th Street. The city airport grew to include six hangers and various maintenance buildings. It became a base for area barnstormers and the location for Sioux Falls Air Races in 1929-1931.  Soo Skyways also became a place to learn how to fly.  A famous Sioux Falls name appears on this marker because Joe Foss learned to fly at the Soo Skyways airport in 1936 and went on to become a decorated World War II "ace" pilot and South Dakota's 30th governor. Hanford Tri-State and United Airlines provided the first passenger services to Sioux Falls and as passenger service became more popular and profitable the Sioux Falls municipal airport was established in 1939.  Soo Skyways Airport closed in 1946. 

2/10/1929 Argus Leader Ad for Soo Skyways Aviation School.