And there’s a cool bison statue in the park.
The Queen Bee Mill, completed in 1881, stood as a symbol of ambition and innovation in the young city of Sioux Falls, aptly nicknamed the Queen City. Located at the most powerful point of the Falls, this seven-story marvel boasted cutting-edge machinery and a capacity to produce 1,200 barrels of flour daily—four times the output of a typical Midwest flour mill. Despite its impressive capabilities, the mill struggled with a reliable supply of water and wheat, leading to its closure after just two years. The mill’s imposing structure included a 100,000-bushel grain elevator, a large warehouse, and various specialized areas like the cooper shop and turbine house.
Over the years, the Queen Bee Mill saw multiple owners attempt to revive its operations, but none succeeded in making it profitable. The building eventually burned in 1956, leaving only a charred shell and a stark reminder of the once grandiose vision. The milling processes used in the Queen Bee Mill—grinding, cleaning, separating, sifting, and packaging—remain largely unchanged, reflecting the enduring legacy of the technology and methods of the 1880s. Today, the remnants of the mill serve as a historical testament to the early business leaders’ ambitious vision in Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls Light & Power hydroelectric plant, later known as the Northern States Power building, began generating electricity in 1908. This plant replaced earlier power sources to meet the city’s growing demand for electricity, supplying power for streetlights and streetcars. Utilizing water stored in the old Queen Bee Millpond, the plant initially relied on hydroelectric power but expanded to include coal-fired steam generators by 1913 due to increasing demand. The water-powered generators remained as a backup until the late 1940s. The plant and its infrastructure, now on the National Register of Historic Places, highlight the evolution of power generation in Sioux Falls.
The Lower Falls in Sioux Falls were eliminated by 1913 to improve the flow of water for the hydroelectric plant and benefit local industries. Originally, Falls Park featured three sets of falls, but the Lower Falls were removed through extensive quarrying and demolition, including blasting in 1912, to aid in constructing the hydroelectric plant. This effort was part of broader changes to the Big Sioux River’s course, including the creation of a mill pond dam and channel alterations around Seney Island. The sign features photographs documenting the demolition process and highlights the impact on the river’s width downstream from the plant.
