🏛 State Soldiers Home aka Michael J Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home

Address: 2500 Minnekahta Avenue, Hot Springs, SD

Built:  1890

First Occupant:  South Dakota State Soldiers’ Home
Sandstone Quarry: Unknown (locally quarried sandstone likely from early Hot Springs sources)

Architect:  Unknown

Architectural Style:  Romanesque-influenced institutional style with symmetrical façade and prominent central pavilion

📜 Historical Overview
Completed in 1890, the South Dakota State Soldiers’ Home was established to provide housing and care for Civil War veterans and their wives. Situated on a rise overlooking the Fall River valley, it was the first major stone institutional building in Hot Springs, marking the city’s emergence as a regional center for veteran care even before the construction of the larger Battle Mountain Sanitarium.

The building’s locally quarried sandstone walls, tall windows, and symmetrical façade reflected the Romanesque-influenced style of the period, designed to project both stability and civic pride. The central pavilion, flanked by balanced wings, created an imposing yet dignified presence.

In its early years, the home operated much like a small community, with on-site gardens, workshops, and a staff dedicated to resident care. Over time, additional buildings and modern facilities were added to the grounds to expand services.

Today, while many newer buildings serve the residents, the original 1890 sandstone structure remains a significant historic landmark within the campus, representing the earliest era of organized veteran care in South Dakota.

🏛 Architectural Notes

• Romanesque-influenced style with symmetrical composition
• Locally quarried sandstone construction (exact source unknown)
• Central pavilion with arched entrance and flanking wings
• Tall rectangular windows in evenly spaced bays
• Designed for both institutional function and dignified appearance

📍 Later Uses & Current Status

• 1890–present: Veteran housing and care facility
• Modern facilities have expanded the campus, but the original sandstone building remains a historic focal point.
• Still serves as part of the State Veterans Home complex.
• A new 100-bed facility was dedicated on the campus in 2016; the original sandstone structure remains in use.

🪖 Namesake & Renaming
On October 3, 1998, Governor Bill Janklow and Maj. Gen. Philip Killey formally rededicated the South Dakota State Soldiers’ Home in honor of Michael J. Fitzmaurice, a Medal of Honor recipient for extraordinary heroism at Khe Sanh on March 23, 1971. Fitzmaurice shielded fellow soldiers from explosives and continued to fight despite severe injuries.

The renaming recognized Fitzmaurice as South Dakota’s living Medal of Honor recipient at the time and linked the campus’ long tradition of veteran care with a modern legacy of service and sacrifice.

👤 Who is Michael J. Fitzmaurice?

• Born: March 9, 1950, Jamestown, ND
• Service: U.S. Army Specialist 4, Troop D, 2/17 Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division
• Medal of Honor: Awarded in 1973 for actions at Khe Sanh, March 23, 1971
• Career: Later served for decades with the South Dakota National Guard and worked with the VA

🔍 Research Notes & Requests
Save Our Sandstone is still seeking:

• Original architectural plans and quarry source records
• Early photographs of the home’s interior and resident life
• Documentation of architect or builder

QR Code Info:  Built in 1890, the South Dakota State Soldiers’ Home (now Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home) provided housing for Civil War veterans. Its Romanesque-influenced design features locally quarried sandstone, a central pavilion, and tall windows. While modern additions expanded the campus, the original structure remains a key historical landmark. Renamed in 1998 to honor Medal of Honor recipient Michael J. Fitzmaurice, it continues to serve veterans today.