SD, South Dakota

Stone Quarry Industry in Sioux Falls, South Dakota ...

In the 1880’s Sioux Falls, South Dakota had developed a limited quarry business. There was an abundance of quartzite along the Big Sioux River which is why partners Hubbard and Riley started the quarry business. They also expanded their business to include a quarry in Split Rock Township. After a few years in business together the two formed the Sioux Falls Granite Company.

The construction of a railroad at Sioux Falls began in the summer of 1887. Hubbard and Riley made a contribution to the railroad funds, seeing that the railroad would give them an advantage and increase their business by being able to carry loads by train to other areas. The railroad was completed by 1888 and was named East Sioux Falls. This railroad helped the town reach boomtown status, along with its stone quarries.

The development and extension of the railroad meant that Paving stones and building blocks could now be transported by rail to any major metropolitan area. Once the stone is quarried it is then loaded onto the tram cars and moved to cutting areas, known as “motions”.

The quarried stone was cut into paving stones of various shapes and sizes by skilled craftsman. Most of the masons who worked at East Sioux were migrants to America from European countries. This is where the stone cutting trade had been learnt. Many of the stone cutter's lived short lives before contracting the common disease called “stone cutter’s consumption”. The paving stone cutter’s would inhale the fine dust particles when chipping away at them.

In 1889 the construction of the Minnehaha County Courthouse was completed with the use of stone from the East Sioux Falls quarries. The cost of the building was $80,000 and was built by The Sioux Falls Granite Company. The workmanship of the stone speaks for itself and has become a landmark and is part of the Siouxland Heritage Museum system.

Just as soon as it was born the East Sioux Falls experienced a great decline during the Depression of 1893. This was particularly harmful to the quarry industry with the shift away from using stone for building and as a paving material. Therefore, there was a decrease in the demand for quartzite production which then forced the workers to move away to find other employment. Eventually the Sioux Falls Granite Company was forced to declare bankruptcy.

About South Dakota, SD ...

South Dakota is a mid western state, which was named after a famous American Indian tribe called Dakota. South Dakota is one of the 6 frontier strip states of America. In the mid 1850’s the US navy bought fort Pierre but later one the next year they abandoned it and relocated to fort Randall.

In 1874 the discovery of gold became well known in Black Hills during a military expedition. The Sioux Nation declined the right and grant for mining rights for the locals which resulted in a war breaking out. Many lives were lost and women and their children were left alone.

The United States of America then failed to stop the miners who were of white color from entering the region. There was a lot of confusion between the colored and the whites. South Dakota is a state with a lot of war history.

Some famous places in South Dakota are; Spearfish Canyon, Missouri River, Mount Rushmore and Chateau Des Prairies.

For more information go to The official website for the state of South Dakota

Cities of South Dakota