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SCOUTING YESTERDAY | New Dell Rapids Opera House owner opted to keep theater dark

This week in South Dakota history

Dan Gehlsen's avatar
Dan Gehlsen
May 01, 2026
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The Dell Rapids Grand Opera House, 1951. Courtesy Argus Leader

A historic South Dakota opera theater still standing in southeast South Dakota sunk further into what would be more than a half century of darkness 75 years ago this week.

The Dell Rapids Grand Opera House was changing hands for the second time in its 63-year history, according to the April 30, 1951, edition of the Argus Leader.

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | From deadlock to landmark, Carnegie gift brought bickering, divisions to Sioux Falls

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | From deadlock to landmark, Carnegie gift brought bickering, divisions to Sioux Falls

Dan Gehlsen
·
Apr 25
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