Address: 713 North River Street, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Date Built: 1913

First Occupant: Ford Garage

Current Occupant: Happy Joe’s Bows pet grooming, Scobie Kombucha Brewery, Bulk Food Market, Minnekahta Ironworks, Appliance repair shop.

Sandstone Quarry: Unknown

Architect: Martin Brothers

Contractor: Joe Marty and John Fuson

Architectural Style: The building, fireproof , and up to date in every way at the time. One hundred and twenty feet in length by seventy-five feet in width, with a cement floor, stone walls and metal roof. The roof was constructed in a manner which would not require the use of pillars thereby leaving the floor space unobstructed, to facilitate the movement of cars. At the rear of the building a space was set aside for a power lathe and other up to date machinery for repair work. At the front of the structure space was reserved for an office on one side and a supply display room on the other with a roomy entrance driveway between. The front of the building, mostly of glass to give an attractive appearance and permit observation of the interior of the building. A stepped parapet on the second level highlights this symmetrically designed structure. The rear facade shows that the building has a medium-pitched gable roof and 2 large sections of three-tiered windows. The inside and entrance were lit by electricity in a most elaborate fashion, while a hot water heating plant gave the finishing touch to one of the largest and best constructed garage buildings in South Dakota.

History: In 1911, the first tourists to visit our unique Carlsbad in automobiles put in their appearance. In 1912, the automobile visitors more than trebled, and in 1913 a still greater proportionate increase was in evidence. The Garage was built to Ford Motor specifications and its 1st occupants we Ford Motorcars. On May 29, 1919, Hot Springs Motor bought the building next to the one it now owns, known as the Union Hotel Building aka Wesch-Oak. This left no vacant building on River Street.

1950’s - ‘70’s: Cadillac / Oldsmobile / GMC Dealership owned by the Larvie family F & J Larvie bought from Francis Larvie on a contract for deed. Health issues found them behind on bills and taxes. Steve Wynia bought the building that was in severe disrepair on a Tax deed. He spent many years restoring the building with a new roof and interior. Black Hills Gold and Wood products store was there for many years.

2022: Sold to Mike Sommer and continues to house 3 storefronts and metalworks shop and appliance repair shop in the rear.

Helen Magee Archives for Garage

QR Code info: With the appearance of automobiles 2 years prior, Joe Marty and John Fuson built what was one of the largest, if not the largest and finest automobile garages in the Northwest. Wanting a good line of cars that suited the country, they bought out the Hot Springs Motor Co and their line of Ford autos. The garage opened for business March 20, 1914 starting with about a dozen cars in stock and a rail carload on the way.