Since Sioux Falls, SD is a landlocked state, there was no way to get the USS South Dakota Battleship to the state.
It wasn’t until they demolished the battle ship that there was a possibility of bringing it Sioux Falls.
That’s when a group of volunteers organized and gained access to part of the battleship. They carefully and thoroughly they put the parts together and turned it into a museum. The small museum gives you the opportunity to experience what it felt like to serve and fight during WWII, and what life was like on the ship. There are volunteers who are happy to tell you all about the ship and the battles she was involved in. I thought the ship was amazing, and it was free. They tell you donations are appreciated, because it pays for the upkeep of the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial museum. The first time my father went to see the USS Dakota Battleship, it was winter, and it wasn’t open. I’m assuming it was closed because of how cold it gets in Sioux Falls. I don’t know if they don’t have heating on the ship, but I don’t know if they have air conditioning either, since I went in the fall this year. It disappointed my father that there weren’t placards that talked about some sights, but I was happy. I couldn’t imagine life on the battleship. I promised dad that the next time he came to visit, it would need to be during the spring or fall. He told me the next time he came to visit, it would be to stay, and that would be earlier this fall.