Here's another Sioux Falls gem mined from the internet. The great folks at GreetingsFromSiouxFalls.com found this publication from the early 1960s, and I have to share it with you.

If you were in Sioux Falls then you may remember the The South Dakota Visitor and TV Guide. It was a bi-weekly publication from B B Enterprises Inc., that was available for free in Sioux Falls Sunshine Food Markets. It was a sort of combo visitor's guide and community events listing with TV a local TV guide. This one is for May 27 - June 10 1962.

The South Dakota Visitor and TV Guide Masthead
BB Enterprises, Inc. via GreetingsFromSiouxFalls.com
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The TV listings show programing on two local stations, KELO the CBS affiliate and KSOO the NBC affiliate. In 2016 KELO is still CBS. KSOO-TV eventually became Sioux Falls' current ABC station KSFY (more on that here if you're curious).

The South Dakota Visitor and TV Guide
BB Enterprises, Inc. via GreetingsFromSiouxFalls.com
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Seeing what was on the tube in the early 60s is interesting, but what I find really fascinating are the ads. The guide is full of ads for bars and restaurants, showing the Sioux Fall has a long history of loving to go out to eat. Also, there was a surprising number of places open until midnight. I guess SuFu was South Dakota's city for late night fun.

The Sears store that several of the ads refer to for directions was located at 811 E. 10th Street. Sears had just moved there the year before.Note the phone numbers listed on the as as well. They all use telephone exchange names in their numbers. Meaning a phone number listed as EDison 2-2569, could probably direct dialed as 332-2569, or a call could be connected by telling the operator "I need EDison 2-2569." Here's a whole Wikipedia article about telephone exchanges if you want to know more.

Check out this gallery of Sioux Falls bars and restaurants.  We have Giovanni's Stake House, The Rainbow Bar, Harry's Hamburgers, Eagle Bar and Lounge, Pancake House, Nickel Plate and more. Do you remember any of them? Or how long any lasted?


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