🧱 The Harlou Block aka Hargens–Loudenback Block

Address:  407 North River Street, Hot Springs, SD 57747

(Photos only show it in the background)

Built:  1893

First Occupant:  The Bank of Hot Springs

Current Occupant:  Blue Heron Gallery

Sandstone Quarry:  Front — Burke white stone;

Side walls and back — Petty stone

Architect:  Unknown

Contractor: S. Loudenback

Architectural Style:  Two-story commercial sandstone structure with a castellated roofline. The building’s name “Harlou” is carved in stone, an abbreviation of its original builders — C.W. Hargens and S. Loudenback. The façade features dentils, keystones, arched upper windows, and checkerboard-patterned stonework.

📜 Historical Overview

Construction began on June 2, 1893, but early work was hampered by a rear wall collapse caused by water dripping from the flume against the wall.

• June 16, 1893: Another cave-in occurred in the rear of the building for the same reason.
• January 2, 1894: Massive plate glass windows — the largest ever brought to town, measuring 94 x 126 inches — were set by John Boyer. The Bank of Hot Springs, owned by Lay & Halley, moved in that day.
• June 26, 1896: Roger Young sued Hargens & Loudenback for $1,500, claiming the Harlou Block encroached 4–5 inches onto his lot. River Avenue property was valued at $2,000 per front foot.
• August 4, 1899: Moore Brothers & Co. opened a grocery in the former bank space.
• September 21, 1904: Vault and partitions removed to create a single large room; W.R. Taylor moved his furniture store in.
• December 14, 1906: The public library relocated to the south room.
• April 30, 1909: The library moved to City Hall.
• June 18, 1909: James Lessard moved his restaurant into the space vacated by the library.
• June 8, 1910: M. Block purchased the building.
• June 16, 1910: Black Hills Curios and Merchants Café opened.
• 1926–1927: John Eastep operated a shoe shop in the south half; Frances Model occupied the north half.
• September 10, 1937: F & M Bootery installed a new storefront; Fall River Bakery and upstairs apartments noted.
• December 13, 2012: Bakery closed.
• August 20, 2015: Bonnie and Roger Wagner purchased the building, establishing the Blue Heron Gallery.
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🧱 Material & Style Notes

• Burke white sandstone façade with Petty sandstone used for side and rear walls
• Decorative castellated parapet with dentils and keystones
• Checkerboard stonework accenting the central bays
• Large historic plate glass storefront windows (no longer original)

🔍 What We’re Still Investigating

• Original interior floor plan and finishes
• Historic photographs of the building pre-remodel
• Additional early tenant records

QR Code Info:  Built in 1893, the Harlou Block was originally home to the Bank of Hot Springs and boasted the city’s largest plate glass windows at the time. Its castellated roofline, checkerboard stonework, and details such as dentils, keystones, and arched windows give it a distinctive character. Over the years, it has housed a library, furniture store, bakery, shoe shop, restaurants, and an art gallery, making it one of River Street’s most versatile commercial landmarks.