This article was originally published September 12, 2019
On Saturday evening, July 9, 1932, a tornado touched down just west of the Big Sioux River southwest of Sioux Falls on land that was not yet part of the city proper. The twister ran an east-to-west course along the farm-to-market road that would eventually become 41st street. It destroyed almost everything in its path between the present-day Empire Mall and a spot north of Shindler along SD Highway 11.
Two people were killed and at least twenty were injured. Elliott Dunkelberger, 22, sought shelter under a cabin near the river. He was killed when the cottage was blown off its foundation and fell on him. Charles Cronn, 73, died 6 days later of severe head trauma.
The 1932 tornado struck some of the same ground hit by the tornado of Sept. 10, 2019.
Below is a gallery of damage photos from that night.