Old Minnehaha County Courthouse

The Old Minnehaha County Courthouse is a government building constructed from pink quartzite stone with Roman arches, rounded windows, and a striking clock tower in downtown Sioux Falls. The three-story structure displays Romanesque architecture with thick walls and detailed stonework.

The structure was designed in 1890 by architect Wallace L. Dow in the Richardsonian Romanesque style with imposing stone walls. It served as the county government center until 1962, when officials relocated to a newer building.

The building displays sixteen wall murals painted between 1915 and 1917 that show local stories through the artistic style of that era. These murals reveal how artists of the time recorded the region's past in visual form.

The building is easy to access with wheelchair accessibility for visitors. Inside, exhibitions about regional history span multiple levels with different topics to explore.

The museum displays collections of Native American artwork and houses exhibits about prairie life and the region's railroads in its galleries. Many visitors overlook these thematic collections that reveal lesser-known aspects of how the area developed.

Location: Sioux Falls

GPS coordinates: 43.55170,-96.72860

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:27