Here we have the small assortment of 1-2 story buildings that were torn down to make way for the Carpenter Hotel years later (1912).

The building on the left would remain for years to come. A single-story optical clinic occupies the space now. I'm not sure if the original was torn down at some point to be replaced or if they just took the top floor off of this building and put a new face on it.

That looks to be a sign for the old Shipley's Laundry on Phillips. They're still taking the best care of Sioux Falls' clothing needs and have been since 1912.

They eventually moved to 9th street across from City Hall where they've operated since.

Notice the lack of a Shriver Johnson building on this corner. That wouldn't be built until 1918. The building to the right is the Paulton Block, later known as the Hanson Building. It burned down in 1991.

Through the mist and haze of early 1900's Phillips avenue can be seen the old Masonic Temple at 10th and Phillips ave. It would be torn down in 1929. The Bee Hive department store is a block to the north.

Is that a fire hydrant? In the street? It may well be; we had a bona fide fire department. There weren't too many cars around to go nuts and knock a fire plug over. As fire hydrants were first established in the city, it was easier to dig into the dirt road that was Phillips avenue to run the water lines than to put them on the sidewalk. Also there were no television cop shows to establish the trope of miscreants knocking over hydrants followed by giant gushers of water.

The Boyce-Greeley building had an overhang that stretched over the sidewalk back then. The street lamps were some 5-bulbed beauties that ran all the way down Phillips (at least on the west side of the street). There were also some bare bulbs hanging above the street.

I love how filthy, wet, and mucky the streets are. I wonder how downtown Sioux Falls smelled at the time. There was probably no shortage of horse offal on the streets and people probably had to scrape off their shoes before entering their favorite businesses.

I hope you've enjoyed this, our second study of 11th & Phillips. Please let me know if there's anything you've noticed that peaks your interest.
I can be reached at eric@greetingsfromsiouxfalls.com

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