🧱 Minnekahta Block aka Red Rocks

 Address:  601–603 North River Street, Hot Springs, SD

Built:  1891 (construction 1890–91)

First Occupants:  Train & Jones general store; Clark & Phillips hardware; E.H. Lewis & Co. furniture; Ed Norton’s grocery

Current Occupant:  Red Rock River Resort hotel and spa (since 2015)

Architect:  Charles P. Brown
Contractor:  Fred T. Evans

Sandstone Quarry:  Evans Quarry at The Falls, Fall River County, SD

Architectural Style:  Local interpretation of Richardsonian Romanesque with elaborate stonework — including diaper/checkerboard patterns, dentils, cresting, and deeply recessed arches. Originally crowned with ornate ironwork.

📜 Historical Overview

In the summer of 1890, Hot Springs’ most prominent promoter, Fred T. Evans, began work on one of the city’s most ambitious sandstone structures. Designed by Charles P. Brown, the Minnekahta Block rose in two stories with a commanding corner tower, intricate stone detailing, and broad arched storefronts. Local quarries at The Falls supplied the pink sandstone, cut and set by skilled masons to emphasize texture and pattern.

When it opened in 1891, the building became a hub of commerce. The street-level storefronts housed businesses such as Train & Jones general store, Clark & Phillips hardware, E.H. Lewis & Co. furniture, and Ed Norton’s grocery. The upper floor provided professional offices, lodge rooms, and meeting halls — hosting attorneys, doctors, dentists, and civic organizations.

Through the early 1900s, the Minnekahta Block adapted with the times. It welcomed banks, restaurants, and retail shops, while the second floor continued as a center for fraternal groups and social events. The building’s striking corner location made it a natural gathering point for parades, political rallies, and community celebrations.

Ownership changed hands several times, and the building endured fires, partial remodels, and long periods of vacancy. Major restorations in 1954, 1979, 1982, 2002, and 2016 stabilized its structure and refreshed its interiors, allowing new generations of tenants to occupy its historic walls.

Today, the Minnekahta Block remains one of the most ornate sandstone landmarks in Hot Springs. Since 2015, it has housed the Red Rock River Resort, blending modern hospitality with more than a century of local history.

📍   Modern Era

Restored and adapted for contemporary use, the Minnekahta Block continues to anchor the north end of River Street. Its preserved stonework and commanding tower serve as a visual reminder of Hot Springs’ sandstone heritage and its late 19th-century boom years.

🔍 Research Notes & Requests

Save Our Sandstone welcomes:

• Historic photographs of the Minnekahta Block prior to the 1954 restoration
• Documentation or photographs of its original iron cresting
• Personal stories or memorabilia from past businesses

QR Code Info:  Built in 1891 from Evans Quarry sandstone, the Minnekahta Block quickly became a hub for merchants and professionals. The ornate Richardsonian Romanesque design, with intricate stonework and a corner tower, made it one of Hot Springs' most striking landmarks. Over the years, it housed numerous businesses and community groups. Since 2015, it has been home to the Red Rock River Resort, blending modern amenities with a rich historical legacy.