🏛 Medical Block Building

 Address: 505 North River Street, Hot Springs, SD

Built: 1910

Architectural Style: Simplified Classical Revival

Sandstone Quarry: Unknown (still under investigation)

📜 Historical Overview

The Medical Block was constructed in 1910 by businessman L.E. Highley, specifically to house modern medical offices in the heart of downtown Hot Springs. Located adjacent to the ornate Holman Block, it represents a clear architectural transition from the elaborate Victorian stonework of the 19th century to the more restrained, utilitarian forms of the early 20th.

Newspaper reports from February and August 1910 document excavation and construction progress on what was announced as a “modern building to be known as the Medical Block,” with doctors Walker, Geyerman, and Noftzger slated to occupy the upper suites. By mid-August 1910, the physicians had officially moved in, establishing the building as a local healthcare hub.

Constructed of native sandstone, the structure’s only ornamental flourishes are the pilasters dividing the lower story—a classical detail that conveys stability. While original modillions and upper façade details have been removed or obscured, the building has remained in continuous commercial use for over a century.

Ownership of the Medical Block passed to Dr. S.G. Bailey in 1946, and later to the Donnell family in 1972. Over time, it has been home to legal, medical, pharmaceutical, and retail businesses.

🧱 Material & Style Notes

• Built of native Fall River County sandstone
• Simplified Classical Revival influence in ground-floor pilasters
• Two-story symmetrical façade with restrained decorative features
• Marks an architectural shift from 19th-century ornamentation to early 20th-century functional design
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🏢 Known Tenants & Professionals

(Confirmed in period sources explicitly referencing the “Medical Block”)

• Dr. F.E. Walker, Dr. Geyerman, Dr. Noftzger – physicians (1910–1915)
• Dr. R.C. Matteson, D.D.S. – dentist
• Geyerman, Wheeler & Cornforth – medical group
• Martin P. Farrell, Attorney at Law – legal office (1965 letterhead)
• A.D. Walker–Hedrick Pharmacy – pharmaceutical tenant (1913)
• Powder Puff Beauty Shop – listed in 1946 reopening announcement
• Highley Drug Store – original and reopened mid-century
• Leo Halls / Model Hat Shop – tenant following 1928 remodeling
• Dr. S.G. Bailey – physician and building owner (purchased 1946)

🔍 What We’re Still Investigating

• Exact quarry source for the sandstone
• Architect (if any) responsible for the design
• Full floor plan and configuration of original suites
• Interior photographs from 1910–1950
• Additional upstairs tenants not listed in printed sources

QR Code Info: Built in 1910 by L.E. Highley, the Medical Block was designed to house medical offices in downtown Hot Springs. A shift from Victorian ornamentation to the more restrained Classical Revival style, the building served as a hub for healthcare professionals and later hosted a variety of businesses. Its native sandstone construction and symmetrical design continue to define its historic presence.