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Interesting Facts
- Thanks to a viewing tower at the visitor information center, newcomers to Sioux Falls can take in a panoramic view of the Falls Park neighborhood and of the city itself. For added familiarity, visitors can take a self-guided tour through the area and spot the town's original grist mill, a historic quartzite building that once housed the S.F. Light and Power Company. Also open for viewing is Seney Island, the city's earliest municipally managed recreation area.
- During the 1980s, Sioux Falls underwent an economic transformation. In just a few years, it went from an industry based economy to one more centered around health care, finance and retail trade. Thanks to this transformation, the people began to enjoy very low unemployment, low crime, and in 1992 Sioux Falls was named the "best place to live in America" by Money Magazine.
- While visiting the friendly critters at the Great Plains Zoo, you'll find another animal exhibit that you might not expect. The Delbridge Museum, located within the Zoo, is home to one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of mounted animals in the world. Animals from all seven continents are displayed in dioramas resembling their natural habitats.
- South Dakota is known for its wide open spaces and for good reason. Sioux Falls is the largest city in a state comprised of 90% farmland. With a population of just over 150,000, the largest city in South Dakota is only the 152nd largest city in the country.
- The city of Sioux Falls is aptly named for its waterfalls. You wouldn't expect to find waterfalls in the middle of the Great Plains, but there they are, the Falls of the Big Sioux River. Every second 7400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the falls. If you take a closer look, sparkling under the water you can see one of the Falls most unique characteristics.
- In the mood for shopping? From Minneapolis all the way to Denver, The Empire Mall of Sioux Falls is the best you'll find. Every year 14 million shoppers from all over the region come in search of great buys. With 180 stores spread out over 128 acres, you're bound to find something to take home.
- For a look at what life was like in this area in the 1880s, just 5 miles out of town you can visit a real cowboy ghost town. Buffalo Ridge is a small town full of exhibits showing how people used to live. Life sized mannequins and antique horse-drawn farm equipment are a few of the things you will see. Be sure to try an authentic Buffalo Burger while you're there.
- In the mood for something sweet? While in Sioux Falls, be sure to stop into a local bakery and try the kuchen. Yes, kuchen. This sweet German pastry made with a wide variety of cream or fruit fillings was actually named the official state dessert in 2000. There is even an official state recipe!
- Reflective of the state's massive farming industry, Sioux Falls is in its sixth decade of hosting one of the largest farm shows in the nation. The Sioux Empire Farm Show takes place every January with over 30,000 people in attendance. The top prize of $12,000 goes to the winner of the Supreme Row competition and is split between the buyer and consignor of the winning animal. There are also countless other competitions between all breeds of cattle, swine and sheep.
- Present-day downtown Sioux Falls used to be a military reservation known as Fort Dakota. The reservation was established in 1865 to protect settlers from Native American raids. After the fort was built, settlers returned in great numbers and the Village of Sioux Falls was incorporated by 1876.
