South Dakota School for the Deaf, public school
The South Dakota School for the Deaf is an institution in Sioux Falls founded in 1880 to educate deaf and hard of hearing students. The campus features Romanesque Revival style buildings with rounded arches and sturdy stonework, and several structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The school was founded in 1880 as the Dakota Territorial School for Deaf Mutes and received its current name in 1889 when South Dakota became a state. During its early decades under leaders like James Simpson, enrollment grew from seven to over fifty students, with the campus expanding to include a working farm.
The school served as a central gathering place for deaf students across the state, helping them build community and identity together in ways that separate public school settings could not provide. The campus became known as a space where sign language and deaf culture could flourish among peers and educators.
The campus is located on Eighth Street in Sioux Falls and is easily accessed by vehicle or foot through public streets. Visitors can view the exterior of the historic buildings, though checking ahead about interior access policies is recommended.
The school housed a Hearing and Speech Clinic in 1942 that was the only one of its kind in the United States at the time. This pioneering facility provided specialized services that were unavailable elsewhere in the country.
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