We started our South Dakota trip in Sioux Falls. It was beautiful and the highlight of the city are the Falls which run through the town.
The Falls of the Big Sioux River has been a focus of life in the region throughout history. The Falls have been a highlight of recreation and industry since the founding of the city in 1856. Each second, an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the falls.
In the background is the remains of the Queen Bee Mill. It was seven stories tall and a brainchild of Richard Pettigrew. The mill opened on October 25, 1881 and closed in 1883.
This is the Sioux Falls Light and Power Company, which now is the Falls Overlook Cafe. The quartzite building still standing on the east bank was completed in 1908. The building housed three 500 kilowatt hydroelectric generators. The plant was abandoned in 1974 and given to the city in 1977.
One of the sculptures on the sculpture walk.
The granddaughters with the Monarch of the Plains sculpture. It was beautifully sculpted from a 12-ton piece of mahogany granite mined in Milbank, SD.
The girls really enjoyed climbing on the rocks around the falls.
After the falls we went to the Sertoma Butterfly House and Purdy Marine cove. They had over 800 free-flying butterflies from around the world in the tropical conservatory. We also viewed fish and live coral exhibits.
This was just the beginning of our trip to South Dakota.
