In this episode of the Local Lou podcast, we fly into the historical significance of Lindbergh Landing in Renner, South Dakota, exploring the life and legacy of Charles Lindbergh. From his groundbreaking solo flight across the Atlantic to his complex and controversial legacy, the conversation highlights the impact of Lindbergh's achievements on aviation and local history, as well as the darker aspects of his life, including the kidnapping of his son and his later fascination with eugenics.

The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping: A Grisly Theory and a Renewed Debate - The New York Times

Eugenics | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica

San Diego Air & Space Museum - Historical Balboa Park, San Diego

Timeline | Minnesota Historical Society

Books by Lindbergh Family | Minnesota Historical Society

Primary Sources: Archives & Records - Charles A. Lindbergh Jr.: Aviator & International Superstar - LibGuides at Minnesota Historical Society Library

Lindbergh, Charles A. (1902–1974) | MNopedia

From high-flying hero to eugenics advocate - PMC

Charles Lindbergh, aviation history, Lindbergh Landing, South Dakota, historical significance, eugenics, legacy, aviation pioneer, kidnapping, local historyLocal Lou Podcast - Lindbergh Landing

Renner Field was a significant site for early aviation in South Dakota, and this historical marker lets us in on some pieces of that history:

• Harold W. Tennant was a key figure in establishing flight instruction.
• Nellie Wilhite was the first licensed female pilot in South Dakota.
• Dakota Airlines was the first full-scale flight facility in Sioux Falls.
• Renner Field hosted air shows and airplane races until 1935.

Come along to hear about the establishment of Dakota Airlines, the challenges faced in early aviation, and sneak peek at the groundbreaking achievements of Wilhite as South Dakota's first licensed female pilot.

SDEA Journal - Google Books

'Local Lou' brings passion for history in sharing little-known facts about Sioux Falls area - Pigeon605

Aviation in Sioux Falls was pioneered by Harry Tennant Jr.until crash

South Dakota's First Century of Flight - Google Books

Throwback Thursday: Renner Air Field

Did you know South Dakota had a round barn building boom between 1903-1921? Did you also know its really hard to say barn building boom? Check out the latest episode of the Local Lou Podcast to explore more about the round barn craze.

Links to some of the Round Barn research:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIeYsI1Y124

https://www.sdpb.org/rural-life-and-history/Round-Barns-in-South-Dakota

https://www.agriculture.com/history-of-round-barns-7539385#:~:text=The%20round%20barn%20was%20built,the%20onset%20of%20prefabricated%20barns.

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Round_Barns_of_New_York/bzfqqvuTOVsC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=history+of+%22round+barns%22&pg=PA13&printsec=frontcover

John Alfred “Alfred” Christenson (1871-1939) - Find a Grave Memorial

This is just the first piece of Renner history we are diving into, so I thought it would be cool to get to know the namesake Leonard Renner. A German immigrant and Civil War veteran, Renner settled in Dakota Territory in 1878, acquiring farmland in Mapleton Township. Once the Railroad built a track on his property, it lead to the founding of the unincorporated village of Renner in 1898. So much more has happened in Renner, check out the episode to explore more!

Throwback Thursday: The Village of Renner

The Village of Renner Historical Marker https://books.google.com/books/content?id=o5tQAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA893&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&bul=1&sig=ACfU3U2VspQzrs4ubVIaMjJwHL4amrQOlw&ci=39%2C115%2C844%2C1141&edge=0 

History of 1st Illinois Light Artillery 

Meet Pvt. Fred W. Pues, who bravely battled dysentery but succumbed in 1866. Then there's Pvt. John T. Martin, who tragically drowned in 1867 during a daring crossing of a watery slough. Cpl. Jacob Luchsinger faced his own battle against tuberculosis and lost in 1867; his request for a medical discharge came too late. Finally, Pvt. Fred Kohlhauff, who was caught off guard by a surprise blizzard in 1869, froze during an ill-fated trapping expedition.

In 1881, these soldiers’ remains were moved, and four headstones now mark their burial site—a mystery of history nestled within Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD. A historical marker stands there, waiting to share their adventurous tales with curious visitors.

Throwback Thursday: Fort Dakota Soldiers

#MountPleasantCemetery #HistoricMarker #SouthDakotaHistory

Fort Dakota Soldiers Historical Marker 

https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_Southeastern_Dakota/UoQTAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Sioux+Falls+%22Fort+Dakota%22&pg=PA54&printsec=frontcover 

Home

A brand new historical marker off of Phillips Ave in Downtown Sioux Falls, lets read it and explore some of the history!

Historical Marker Barracks of Fort Dakota 

1865-1873

Near this site in a southwesterly direction stood the Barracks of Fort Dakota. Soldiers of Company E 6th Iowa Cavalry under Captain Daniel Eicher built the Enlisted men's Barracks in the summer of 1865. Made of white oak logs the 140x20' building was divided into 5 rooms with a central stove. Bunks were made of pole cut from local trees and were often infested with bed bugs. Kerosene was rubbed on the bunks to exterminate the bed bugs. Two men slept on one bunk, using hay filled bed sacks as mattresses. The Garrison left in 1869 and the post was abandoned. The Barracks was converted and used by newcomers to Sioux Falls such as Byrum Phillips and RF Pettigrew as temporary housing. The Barracks was razed in 1873. 

In 1984 a bronze tablet was placed on the front of the Hollywood Theater by Mary Chilton Chapter of the NSDAR until 1990 moved to the commerce building and disappeared in a remodel. 

Historical Marker Barracks of Fort Dakota 1865-1873 located off Phillips Ave near 8th street in Sioux Falls SD.

https://www.google.com/books/edition/We_Did_What/RBjHEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=kerosene+oil+for+bed+bugs+1800s&pg=PA35&printsec=frontcover

https://www.colonialpest.com/2016/10/12/used-kill-bed-bugs-back-day/

https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/do-it-yourself-bed-bug-control

https://www.sdpb.org/rural-life-and-history/history-of-fort-dakota-near-present-day-sioux-falls

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22680693/daniel-f-eicher

https://www.greetingsfromsiouxfalls.com/hollywood

https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/7464

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Forgotten_Sioux_Falls/c8jtYvmkU9kC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=hollywood+theater+sioux+falls&pg=PA22&printsec=frontcover

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Spitznagel

Join me and my fellow podcast host, Tasha from Talking with Tasha, as we delve into the book "Vanished in Vermillion" by Lou Raguse. You can find links below for Tasha and the Siouxland Libraries, where you can learn more about the One Book Siouxland Events happening in April 2025.⁠

Talkin With Tasha – a podcast for everyone⁠⁠Natasha (@na.ta.sha.86) • Instagram photos and videos⁠⁠

One Book Siouxland Siouxland Libraries⁠

⁠About the Author - Vanished in Vermillion

Join me and my fellow podcast host, Tasha from Talking with Tasha, as we delve into the book "Vanished in Vermillion" by Lou Raguse. You can find links below for Tasha and the Siouxland Libraries, where you can learn more about the One Book Siouxland Events happening in April 2025.Talkin With Tasha – a podcast for everyoneNatasha (@na.ta.sha.86) • Instagram photos and videosOne Book Siouxland Siouxland Libraries

About the Author - Vanished in Vermillion

South Dakota podcaster Andy Heller from Fat Dude Digs Flicks stops by the chat with Local Lou about the One Book Siouxland pick for 2025Vanished in Vermillion: The Real Story of South Dakota’s Most Infamous Cold Case by Lou Raguse If you have not had a chance to read this book yet and do not know the end of this story, we won't spoil it for you in this episode. You still have time to read it before the kick off event (FREE EVENT, registration encouraged!)

One Book Siouxland Kick-Off 

There will be three sessions on themes from the book including:

10:00 a.m.: podcaster Local Lou will present on the Court of Public Opinion featuring local historical crimes (Meeting Room A/B)

11:30 a.m.: award winning artist, Jerry Fogg, will speak on his art and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (Library floor by art wall)

1:00 p.m.: journalist panel discussing crime reporting in South Dakota (Meeting Room A/B)

Saturday, April 5, 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m.
Downtown Library- Meeting Room A/BFat Dude Digs Flicks | Instagram, Facebook | LinktreeOne Book Siouxland Siouxland Libraries

About the Author - Vanished in Vermillion

We are back in Vermillion, South Dakota, where we will read a historical marker. Following that, we'll discuss Vermillion in 1971 and get to know two 17-year-old girls who are heading to a graduation party right before they vanish.... in Vermillion.

Upcoming EventsOne Book Siouxland Kick-Off 

Learn more about our 2025 One Book Siouxland title,Vanished in Vermillion by Lou Raguse. There will be three sessions on themes from the book including:

10:00 a.m.: podcaster Local Lou will present on the Court of Public Opinion featuring local historical crimes (Meeting Room A/B)

11:30 a.m.: award winning artist, Jerry Fogg, will speak on his art and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (Library floor by art wall)

1:00 p.m.: journalist panel discussing crime reporting in South Dakota (Meeting Room A/B)

Saturday, April 5, 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m.
Downtown Library- Meeting Room A/B

For adults aged 18 and older.

One Book Siouxland Siouxland Libraries 

Case Timeline - Vanished in Vermillion 

“Vanished in Vermillion” answers locals’ questions about 1971 party disappearance 

vermillion.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k="pam jackson"&i=f&d=01011971-12311973&m=between&ord=k1&fn=vermillion_high_school_yearbook_usa_south_dakota_vermillion_19710101_english_49&df=1&dt=2&cid=2962 

What Happened in May 1971 - On This Day⁠  

⁠The Cost of Goods the Year You Were Born | Stacker⁠  

Argus Leader 6/3/1971 and 1/12/1972 can be read in their entirety on Localloupodcast.com in the Episodes tab.