Local Lou

Renner Field was a significant site for early aviation in South Dakota, and this historical marker lets us in on some pieces of that history: Harold W. Tennant was a key figure in establishing flight instruction. Nellie Wilhite was the first licensed female pilot in South Dakota. Dakota Airlines was the first full-scale flight facility in Sioux Falls. Renner Field hosted air shows and airplane rac...

Did you know South Dakota had a round barn building boom between 1903-1921? Did you also know its really hard to say barn building boom? Check out the latest episode of the Local Lou Podcast to explore more about the round barn craze. Links to some of the Round Barn research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIeYsI1Y124 https://www.sdpb.org/rural-life-and-history/Round-Barns-in-South-Dakota https:/...

This is just the first piece of Renner history we are diving into, so I thought it would be cool to get to know the namesake Leonard Renner. A German immigrant and Civil War veteran, Renner settled in Dakota Territory in 1878, acquiring farmland in Mapleton Township. Once the Railroad built a track on his property, it lead to the founding of the unincorporated village of Renner in 1898. So much mo...

Meet Pvt. Fred W. Pues, who bravely battled dysentery but succumbed in 1866. Then there's Pvt. John T. Martin, who tragically drowned in 1867 during a daring crossing of a watery slough. Cpl. Jacob Luchsinger faced his own battle against tuberculosis and lost in 1867; his request for a medical discharge came too late. Finally, Pvt. Fred Kohlhauff, who was caught off guard by a surprise blizzar...

A brand new historical marker off of Phillips Ave in Downtown Sioux Falls, lets read it and explore some of the history! Historical Marker Barracks of Fort Dakota  1865-1873 Near this site in a southwesterly direction stood the Barracks of Fort Dakota. Soldiers of Company E 6th Iowa Cavalry under Captain Daniel Eicher built the Enlisted men's Barracks in the summer of 1865. Made of white oak l...

Join me and my fellow podcast host, Tasha from Talking with Tasha, as we delve into the book "Vanished in Vermillion" by Lou Raguse. You can find links below for Tasha and the Siouxland Libraries, where you can learn more about the One Book Siouxland Events happening in April 2025. ⁠ T alkin With Tasha – a podcast for everyone⁠ ⁠Natasha (@na.ta.sha.86) • Instagram photos and videos⁠ ⁠ On...

Join me and my fellow podcast host, Tasha from Talking with Tasha, as we delve into the book "Vanished in Vermillion" by Lou Raguse. You can find links below for Tasha and the Siouxland Libraries, where you can learn more about the One Book Siouxland Events happening in April 2025. Talkin With Tasha – a podcast for everyone Natasha (@na.ta.sha.86) • Instagram photos and videos One Book S...

South Dakota podcaster Andy Heller from Fat Dude Digs Flicks stops by the chat with Local Lou about the One Book Siouxland pick for 2025Vanished in Vermillion: The Real Story of South Dakota’s Most Infamous Cold Case by Lou Raguse If you have not had a chance to read this book yet and do not know the end of this story, we won't spoil it for you in this episode. You still have time to read it b...

We are back in Vermillion, South Dakota, where we will read a historical marker. Following that, we'll discuss Vermillion in 1971 and get to know two 17-year-old girls who are heading to a graduation party right before they vanish.... in Vermillion. Upcoming Events One Book Siouxland Kick-Off  Learn more about our 2025 One Book Siouxland title,Vanished in Vermillion by Lou Raguse. There will b...

We are going on a little adventure in Vermillion South Dakota, so I wanted us to get to know a little bit about Vermillion first be reading two historical markers. Coming up in the next few episodes we will be hearing all about the Siouxland Library's One Book Siouxland pick of 2025, Vanished in Vermillion. You still have time to read the book before the kick off event at the Downtown branch o...

Join Lou and Talkin with Tasha host Tasha as they talk about in 1911, Sioux Falls lacked public restrooms for women, prompting Edith Kellar Lillibridge and Anna M. Eddy to form the Woman's Alliance with 30 women. Despite limited resources, they initiated a groundbreaking project, raising funds through member contributions. With 400 members, Mary Peabody became the first president. This facilit...

So happy to have another history chat with film maker Brad Dumke. Join us as we talk about Wallace Dow the "Builder on the Prairie" an architect that showed up just when Sioux Falls was getting on the map and made a living building impressive stone buildings that define the cities skyline today. If you listen towards the end you just might hear a Gigglebees reference... Brad is so great...

The Old Courthouse and Warehouse District in Sioux Falls showcases the influential work of early architects Wallace L. Dow and Joseph Schwarz. Their designs have significantly impacted the downtown area, making them the most notable architects in the city's history. Lets take a look at some of the history of the Coliseum built by Joseph Schwarz and learn a little bit more about both architects...

In 1872 Baptist services in Sioux Falls were held sporadically as the number of Baptists was too small to form a congregation, by 1910 they were building a church that could seat 1,000. Let's explore this history and a little about the architects Wallace Dow and Joseph Schwarz who both built a First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. First Baptist Church Historical Marker   Collection: Hilton, Amo...

The Cataract hotel starts as the Cataract House in 1871 and it holds 14 rooms and is two stories. Its a big deal it is the nicest place to stay in the area clean beds with no bugs, at least according to advertisements.  Come along as we explore the history of The Cataract in Downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Looking Back: Cataract Hotel gone too soon   Have you ever wondered: What is the oldest...

The story of how Thomas and Jennie McMartin’s dream home, designed by Wallace Dow, would become The Pettigrew Home and Museum. 131 N Duluth Ave was donated to the City of Sioux Falls as a museum almost 100 years ago by R.F. Pettigrew. The Pettigrew Home and Museum continues to have tours and events showing off the restored and preserved home along with artifacts.   ⁠⁠Pettigrew Home & Museum⁠⁠...

Director Brad Dumke was kind enough to stop by Lou-Land to chat about his documentary Badger Clark: Poet Among the Pines. I had such a great time talking with Brad during a Q&A with him after a showing of his documentary at the Vortex Film Festival this summer in Vermillion, South Dakota that I just knew you guys would love to hear all the fun tidbits too! Don't worry if you haven't seen the d...

The details of the moving of this cemetery just might keep me up at night. Come along as we head to an historic church and cemetery in Dell Rapids and get to know a little of the history while reading the Willow Creek Lutheran Church historical marker. https://www.localloupodcast.com ⁠Willow Creek Lutheran Church Historical Marker (hmdb.org)⁠   ⁠Samuel K. Ducken (1846-1921) - Find a Grave Memorial...

Siouxland renowned former morning radio talk show host Tasha and I get to chat history while going over the gruesome details of a possible haunting at the Goss Opera House in Watertown South Dakota. Check out Talkin with Tasha for a longer version of our chat with much more pop culture references, side quests, and accidental musings on grief. Talkin With Tasha – a podcast for everyone Keep tuned i...

On May 13, 1912, amidst a flood of the Big Sioux River, four young men from Sioux Falls dared to take a canoe and rowboat over the Cascade Mill Dam. While two of the men, Guy Beck and Mat Yost managed to succeed, John Meehan and Will Dahl capsized. After being rescued by Beck and Yost, their rowboat was overturned by the powerful current, resulting in a terrifying cycle of the men being swept both...

The Cascade Mill, the lesser-known original mill in early Sioux Falls, was built before the more famous Queen Bee Mill, completed in 1877. It was smaller and less expensive, located upstream from the falls on the east side of the Big Sioux River. Made from native quartzite stone, it was robust enough to withstand early floods that damaged other structures. The Cascade Milling Company began produci...

Valley Springs, South Dakota isn't too far from Sioux Falls, just about 20 miles East. The town also has some unique history like how long time resident Adeline M Jenney would be named South Dakota’s second Poet Laureate. You can imagine my surprise when I read that along with an excerpt from a poem of hers on the historical marker itself. I guess I am just in my South Dakota Poet Laureate pha...

We are going to get to know South Dakota's first poet Laureate Badger Clark through historical markers located in Custer and Faith, South Dakota. Its a tale of tuberculosis and poetry... Leaving Prints on the Pages of History Historical Marker (hmdb.org)   Everyone has a Beginning Historical Marker (hmdb.org)   Charles Badger Clark Jr. (1883-1957) - Find a Grave Memorial   Frequently Asked Que...

Wallner Gardens, was a family farming business founded by F. X. Wallner in 1912 in South Sioux Falls. The farm would close in 1979 after providing vegetables for the community for 67 years. Join Local Lou as she sits down with Robert Wallner Jr. the grandson of F. X. Wallner and learns more about the family business and history of Wallner Gardens. Check out the Dakota News Now Throwback Thursday s...

We hit the road and head to Delmont South Dakota where they are known for an Onion House, Kuchen, and a tornado (Oh my!) this sweet little town had many layers of history for us to explore.     Local Lou Podcast   Support the pod https://patreon.com/LocalLouPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink   Delmont, South Dakota - W...