The Cataract

The historical marker for the Cataract is situated near the intersection of 9th and Phillips in Downtown Sioux Falls. However, before diving into its history, a quick fancy word warning is in order: while "cataract" might bring to mind an eye condition, it also refers to a waterfall, which is more what it would be referencing in our case since it is south of the falls. 

The Cataract Hotel began its journey as the Cataract House in 1871, featuring 14 rooms across two stories. It quickly became the premier accommodation in the area, boasting clean beds without bugs—at least that’s what the advertisements claimed.

As Sioux Falls was emerging as a city, the Cataract House needed to adapt. In 1880, architect Wallace Dow, renowned for his work on buildings like the prison in Sioux Falls, was commissioned to design the hotel's next version. Interestingly, the existing hotel was simply moved to the side, allowing operations to continue while a new three-story, 100-room hotel was constructed. This establishment became the go-to hotel in the region, with rooms priced at $2.50 per night. It featured modern amenities for its time, including gas lights, heating, and hot and cold water—making it the finest hotel in the territory. This was particularly advantageous given Dakota Territory's lenient divorce laws, attracting many out-of-towners seeking quick divorces, who naturally preferred a comfortable place to stay.

Tragically, just days before the 4th of July in 1900, a freak fireworks accident reduced the hotel to ashes. Architect Joseph Schwarz was then chosen to design a larger and improved replacement, which included 160 rooms. This new Cataract Hotel initially withstood the test of time until urban renewal and a wrecking ball ultimately claimed it in the 1970s.