Carnegie Town Hall

  In May, we’re going behind the scenes at the places that have shaped Sioux Falls. This week, we’re touring Carnegie Town Hall—one of downtown’s most historic buildings. In 1901, through the efforts of Senator R.F. Pettigrew, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie offered the City of Sioux Falls $25,000 to build a free public library. City leaders selected the prominent corner of Tenth Street and Dakota Avenue, choosing a site that was central, highly visible, and safely above the floodplain. The building was constructed from locally quarried rose quartzite, giving it the distinctive look it still carries today. The Carnegie Library opened in 1903 and served the community for nearly 70 years before a new library was built in 1972. The building later housed the Civic Fine Arts Association and eventually became what we now know as Carnegie Town Hall. Today, it is home to the Sioux Falls City Council Chambers, along with the City Clerk’s and Community Development offices. Join us to explore this landmark, learn about its evolution, and see how a building that started as a library continues to play an important role in local government. Registration is required, and space is limited to the first 25 participants. If you register, please plan to attend and mark your calendar. We are committed to providing a welcoming and accessible experience for all event attendees. If you require any accommodations, please reach out to Jaci Pieters at jpieters@siouxfalls.com. We will make every effort to meet your needs.