Established in 1873 when Sioux Falls was a tiny town of just 150 people, Mt. Pleasant was the city’s first organized cemetery. It was originally placed "far enough away" to not block the town's growth—a testament to the ambitious vision of the early settlers.
Today, it stands as a beautiful sanctuary holding the stories of:
The cemetery is home to the stunning Glidden Memorial Chapel, a 1924 structure crafted from the signature pink Sioux quartzite that defines our region's geology. Its history is as rugged as the stone itself; in the early 20th century, the chapel’s crypt served as a necessary sanctuary during harsh South Dakota winters when the frozen ground was too hard for traditional burials.
Whether you are a history buff, a genealogy enthusiast, or someone seeking a quiet moment of reflection, Mt. Pleasant offers a tranquil escape. You can wander past grave markers that range from simple wooden tablets to grand, native boulder monuments, including the oldest marker in the city—that of William Stevens, dating back to 1869.