The McKennan Park Historic Home Guide
What defines a McKennan Park home?
McKennan Park sits south of downtown Sioux Falls, developed primarily between 1900 and 1935 as the city expanded. The neighborhood surrounds the park of the same name and represents one of the finest concentrations of early 20th century residential architecture in South Dakota.
Common architectural styles:
- Craftsman bungalows (1905 to 1925): Low-pitched rooflines, exposed rafter tails, deep porches with tapered columns, quarter-sawn oak interiors
- Prairie-style homes (1900 to 1920): Horizontal emphasis, low rooflines, ribbon windows, integration with landscape
- Colonial Revival (1900 to 1930): Symmetrical facades, columned entries, dormers, formal proportions
- English Tudor Revival (1915 to 1935): Steep rooflines, decorative half-timbering, arched entries, casement windows
- Foursquare (1895 to 1920): Boxy massing, hipped roofs, large front porches, four-room-per-floor layouts
The largest and most architecturally significant homes typically face the park itself. Homes on interior streets vary more widely in size and finish level.
Historic designation and tax benefits
The McKennan Park Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation:
- Qualifies contributing properties for South Dakota’s 8-year property tax moratorium on qualifying improvements
- Does not by itself impose restrictions on exterior modifications (unlike Cathedral District’s local ordinance)
- Provides eligibility for federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits on income-producing properties (rentals, B&Bs)
- Adds resale value through district recognition
Verify individual property status through the SD State Historic Preservation Office. Not every home in the neighborhood is a contributing structure.
The Craftsman renovation challenge
Craftsman homes present unique renovation challenges because their character depends on features modern construction rarely includes:
Built-in furniture
Bookcases flanking fireplaces, window seats with storage, dining room buffets, breakfast nooks with benches. These built-ins are integral to the home’s character. Removing them for open concept renovations strips much of what makes Craftsman homes valuable. Preserve or replicate with historic profiles.
Quarter-sawn oak trim
Distinctive medullary ray patterns visible in the grain. Modern reproduction requires specific milling from local shops. Do not paint over original quarter-sawn oak — it destroys resale value and character.
Exposed structural elements
Rafter tails, brackets, ceiling beams, and post-and-beam details are visible parts of Craftsman design. Additions and renovations should reference these details even when structural roles differ.
Original fireplaces
Craftsman fireplaces feature specific tile patterns, wood mantels, and integrated bookcases. Restore rather than replace whenever possible.
Original windows
Wood casement or double-hung windows with divided lites. Original wood windows can be restored to strong performance with sash rebuilds, weatherstripping, and interior storm additions. Replacement with modern vinyl often reads as inappropriate for the era.
Modernizing systems in period homes
- Electrical upgrade from knob-and-tube or ungrounded aluminum to modern panel and grounded receptacles
- Plumbing replacement of galvanized supply lines with copper or PEX
- HVAC replacement sized to actual insulated envelope, not original oversized boiler
- Insulation improvements at attic and rim joists (walls typically stay original)
- Original radiator systems can often be preserved with modern boilers
- Original hardwood floors refinished (147% ROI per NAR data)
- Original windows restored rather than replaced when structurally sound
- Modern water heater (tankless or heat pump) in original locations
Typical McKennan Park renovation costs
- Interior refresh preserving character: $75 to $150 per square foot
- Interior renovation with systems upgrade: $150 to $250 per square foot
- Full historic restoration: $250 to $450 per square foot
- Kitchen remodel period-appropriate: $50,000 to $150,000+
- Primary bath preservation with modern function: $25,000 to $75,000
- Exterior restoration (siding, roof, windows): $80 to $200 per square foot of surface area
Finding the right contractors
McKennan Park renovation contractors need specific historic experience:
- Portfolio showing Cathedral District, McKennan Park, or similar historic work
- Relationships with local millwork shops for custom trim reproduction
- Understanding of quarter-sawn oak, original hardwood restoration, and period paint finishes
- Familiarity with sash window rebuilding versus replacement
- Structural engineering experience with post-and-beam and traditional framing
Ask specifically about how the contractor handles preservation-versus-modernization decisions. Contractors whose default is “gut and rebuild” are not the right fit for McKennan Park homes.
Related pillars
- For the full historic renovation framework see the Sioux Falls Historic Home Renovation pillar →
- For Cathedral District specifics see the Cathedral District Home Renovation Guide
- For SD tax moratorium details see the Sioux Falls Historic Home Tax Moratorium guide
- For hardwood floor refinishing on original floors see Flooring →