Germania Hall

Germania Hall stood on the site of the present City Hall until it was razed in 1934. It was erected by the Germania Verein after that society was organized on January 11, 1880, and when built it was an outstanding structure designed for theatrical use and public gatherings, with a stage and balcony, club room, gymnasium, and apartments for the custodian. The Germania Verein was organized, according to its constitution, to foster art, awaken the mind to liberty, create a love for that which is good and beautiful, encourage social intercourse, and help preserve the fruits of German culture, and it also organized classes for German studies under competent teacher. The city purchased the building on October 20, 1919, and it was then given to veterans' groups as a meeting place until 1934. Germania Hall also hosted three separate constitutional conventions in Sioux Falls in 1883, 1885, and 1889, where constitutions for the proposed State of South Dakota were drafted, adopted, and submitted to the people for ratification or rejection, and at that time it was regarded as the only building in the territory large enough for such gatherings.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota · United States