Vermillion Historic Preservation Commission

09/02/2026

It's September despite the warm temperatures. It's time for the September Historic House of the Month. It is another Chaney house but this time, the owner/builder was Morris J. Chaney (1858-1941), the patriarch of the Chaneys of Vermillion. Born in Illinois, he bought a farm in Newell, Iowa in 1880 but moved to Wakonda, South Dakota in 1893. He and his wife, Helen McFarline Chaney (1856-1922) had three children: Florence (1892-1922), Dorothy L (1895-1988), and Morris A (1898-1963).
Morris J. was president of the Bank of Wakonda and also Citizens Bank and Trust in Vermillion (1914). He served in the South Dakota legislature, becoming Speaker of the House from 1907-1909. Around 1910, he built 122 N. Yale but around 1928, he built the house at 405 S. University. Now a widower, he lived there with his daughter Dorothy and her husband Ralph Collins, and their son Gerald M. “Jeb” (1923-2006); Morris J.’s yet unmarried son, Morris A.; and his grandson, Bayard H. Waterbury, Jr. (1919-1979), whose mother, Florence had died in 1922.
The house is a Dutch Colonial subtype of Colonial Revival. It is one of only a few brick homes in Vermillion up to that time. On the second story, wood siding alternates with the asphalt shingles of the shed dormers and sloping roof. The north and south symmetrical wings are setback and have their own smaller dormers. The house faces east with a wide facade covering two lots. The centered front door has a rounded porch “hood” held up with decorative brackets. The door is further amplified by sidelights and a transom overhead. There is a detached garage, accessed from the alley to the south, which is believed to date to the construction of the house and made from the same brick. An original concrete patio connects the garage and house in the rear.
The exterior maintains a high degree of historical integrity. Changes include the enclosed porch of the first floor north wing and vinyl windows, all of which have maintained the original openings. The enclosure has red siding, the color of the brick with window spacing mimicking that of the south wing. The garage has been converted to two bay doors from three. Landscaping now includes a surrounding hedge.
On the main floor, the spacious house has a living room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast nook, half bath, sunroom, and office (the enclosed north porch), two fireplaces, and a central grand staircase. The second level has four bedrooms, one with a sitting room and two full baths. Few changes have been made in the inside as well. The sunroom to the south has cedar paneling and tile added during the mid-century, as well as the enclosed north porch/office with similar paneling. The kitchen is brand new. With the removal of a partial wall, the breakfast nook has replaced what has been called a maid’s quarters, complete with a separate back entrance. All HVAC and central air are modernized though the original radiators remain.
The house is currently owned by Linda Kogel and has been recently placed on the market. Previous owners after the Chaney’s were Dr. Ed and Mrs. Evalin Moore, a local physician; Darrell and Norma Merrigan, owners of Ideal Billiards/Charcoal Lounge, and after the death of Darrell in a car accident in 1968, Norma Merrigan and Ted Jelke; and Martin Busch, an inductee in the South Dakota Hall of Fame as Executive Director and “father” of South Dakota Public Broadcasting, including reading books on air through his program, “The Bookshop.”
405 S. University is on the National Register of Historic Places (NR) as a part of the Jolley Historic District. For more information about 405 S. University and Vermillion’s historic districts, please see VHPC | Historic Properties: Districts
Each month, the commission highlights a house in Vermillion that is classified as a contributing property in the NR. Listed houses have maintained the exterior historical integrity of their architectural and/or historical significance and are at least fifty years old. The house is featured on the commission’s website at VermillionHPC.org and on its page, Historic Preservation Commission. The owner receives a certificate, and a sign is placed in the front yard of the property for the month.
The Vermillion Historic Preservation Commission is a volunteer commission whose mission is to protect, preserve, and restore Vermillion's historic and cultural assets through public education, workshops, and outreach to the community. VHPC commissioners and city staff contribute match for annual grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior through the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office.

Photo courtesy of Maloney Real Estate.

08/02/2026

Thank you to Ted Muenster for allowing us to highlight this home in honor of his wife Karen (1942-2026). (edited narrative)

In 2001, the Linden House (509 Linden Ave.) became listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination was written by Lynda Schwan and the owner of the house was Karen Muenster. In keeping with Karen’s years of work in historic preservation in Sioux Falls (Cathedral District) and later in Vermillion, she sought to recognize and protect the special design and beauty of this mid-century house. Karen died this past April. We designate this house as the August Historic House of the Month in tribute to her.
In 1950, Morris A. Chaney (1898-1963) hired the acclaimed architectural firm of Hugill, Blatherwick and Fritzel of Sioux Falls to build this house. Hugill and Blatherwick had designed many public buildings in South Dakota including the Ziebach, Lake, Hughes and Clark County courthouses. Fritzel joined the firm in 1946. Other designs in the 1950s included the original Lee Medical School Building at USD (replaced). Many of their designs have been placed in the National Register.
The style of the Linden House is Post Modernistic—a reaction to various styles such as International and Modern, from before WWII. The house borrows aspects of Craftsman and Prairie Style with overhanging eaves and a low profile. The roof of cedar shakes and a dark roman brick exterior are characteristics which blend into the landscape of the bluff. The central upper level has brown vertical wood siding.
Morris Chaney and his wife, Dorothy Bell Thompson Chaney (1906-1995) moved in with their six children. Cyndy, Mike and Robin currently reside in Vermillion, though not in the house. Cyndy describes it as one that was “welcoming to people of all ages.” The family room was a hub of activity for the kids and their friends. As a teenager, she was also particularly impressed by the matching walls, curtains and bedspread in her room, designed by an interior designer from Omaha’s Orchard and Wilhelm Department Store. She also recalls the pastel bathroom fixtures and the novel, poured-concrete foundation that garnered much attention. Succeeding owners included developer/businessman,Tom (Anna) Urup, a corporate owner, and, in 1999, Karen (Ted) Muenster.
The “back” of the house faces the bluff (to the south) with large picture windows, casement windows, glass patio doors, and a sunroom. The main, central section is two stories with a pyramidal roof. There are one-story wings on each end with pyramidal roofs sloping away from the center section and an attached garage on the north side next to the recessed main entrance. The first floor interior has large, open rooms. The second floor houses bedrooms with access to the balcony. The walls are built of reinforced concrete plaster. The floors, as well as the foundation, are poured concrete. Minimal alterations include an updated kitchen and an enlarged master suite. Karen also designed and had constructed a new “wing” on the west side of the home, which blends with the original design of the house, replacing the screened porch. For more information about 509 Linden, please see VHPC | Historic Properties: Individual
Each month, the commission highlights a house in Vermillion that is classified as a contributing property in the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places (NR). Houses listed in the NR have maintained the historical integrity of their architectural and/or historical significance and are at least fifty years old. The house is featured on the commission’s website at VermillionHPC.org and on its page, Historic Preservation Commission. The owner receives a certificate, and a sign is placed in the front yard of the property for the month.
The Vermillion Historic Preservation Commission is a volunteer commission whose mission is to protect, preserve, and restore Vermillion's historic and cultural assets through public education, workshops, and outreach to the community. VHPC commissioners and city staff contribute match for annual grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior through the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office.

08/01/2026

509 Linden, the August Historic House of the Month.

08/01/2026

509 Linden Avenue, the Linden House is this month's Historic House of the Month. Please stay tuned for the picture and the article.

Information can also be found on our website www.VermillionHPC.org on either the News or Individual (historical properties listed on the National Register) tabs.

07/08/2026

The commission had an unusual outdoor meething this morning. We met at the site of the former Jolley school to view the commemorative post. It is made of bricks from the former school and includes its bell. This is in the park at the south end of the site.

07/08/2026

Congratulations to Susan and Larry Hudson--owners of the July Historic House of the Month, 402 S. University.

07/08/2026

Vermillion community--what workshop topics related to historic preservation would interest you?

07/01/2026

Happy July and congratulations to the owners of the July Historic House of the Month! The Colton House at 402 S. University, is a (French) Tudor Revival style built by Andrew Meleen for Dr. Winfred Rufus Colton, the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of South Dakota. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 as an individual property. The nomination was written by Mike Vogel. In addition, the house is a part of the Jolley Historic District which was listed in 2022.
Built in 1938, the house is thought to be the only example of Tudor Revival in Vermillion. Characteristics which are easily seen include the steep roof with side gables, multi-paned (often six-over-six) windows and the large chimney on the south end. The stucco cladding also represents a subtype of Tudor Revival. Other distinguishing features of this exterior are the long-pane vertical windows in the front, two gabled wall dormers, brick trim around the windows, the door, on the porch, and for flower boxes, arched top windows in the upper levels, and iron faux balconies.
As an individual property, evidence was provided that the interior as well as the exterior had retained its historic integrity. The only alteration to the Colton House is a small kitchen addition in the back. (A 2-car garage in the back of the property is not contributing and is not part of the national register listing.) The remaining floor plan has not been altered. The interior boasts original mahogany doors, French doors, and a pocket door on the main floor, original brass hardware, built-in china cabinet and bookshelves, and a wooden staircase.
The owner at the time the house was listed on the national register was Sue Kraemer Christensen. The current owners are Susan and Larry Hudson. It is said that when the house was built, it became a popular place for receptions and visiting dignitaries due to Dr. Colton’s prominence in Vermillion and in his profession. The violinist, orchestra conductor and administrator came to USD in 1908 and was Chairman/Dean from 1921-1951. It was during his tenure that the fine arts department became the College of Fine Arts in 1921. He also wrote the music to the USD alma mater which was premiered in 1922. Colton Recital Hall in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts is named for him. For more information about 402 S. University, please see VHPC | Historic Properties: Individual
Each month, the commission highlights a house in Vermillion that is classified as a contributing property in the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places (NR). Houses listed in the NR have maintained the historical integrity of their architectural and/or historical significance and are at least fifty years old. The house is featured on the commission’s website at VermillionHPC.org and on its page, Historic Preservation Commission. The owner receives a certificate, and a sign is placed in the front yard of the property for the month.
The Vermillion Historic Preservation Commission is a volunteer commission whose mission is to protect, preserve, and restore Vermillion's historic and cultural assets through public education, workshops, and outreach to the community. VHPC commissioners and city staff contribute match for annual grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior through the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office. Photo courtesy of Larry and Susan Hudson.

06/04/2026

It's a new month and time for the June Historic House of the Month! Let's celebrate the Brookman House at 404 Cottage Avenue!
The Brookman House is a Queen Anne structure that has been lovingly cared for by members of the Brookman and Flanagin families since 1894. It presides over the corner of Dartmouth Street and Cottage Avenue and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.
The house was built by Eric G. Matson (Dalesburg Lutheran Church, the West Side and East Side Schools, many houses) for S.E. and Anna Brookman. S.E. and his twin brother Edgar worked in milling and steam-power in the Vermillion area. S.E. had 4 accomplished sons, the oldest being Harold (Ruth), who was an engineer, architect and USD faculty member in engineering and in applied science. He was responsible for the steam tunnels built under the campus, designed Danforth Chapel and designed the first swimming pool in Prentis Park. Brookman Hall (1963 campus dormitory, demolished in 2023) was named for Harold. Ruth was prominent in city organizations including the Civic Council, the school board, and the Vermillion Development Company. They lived in the house from 1925-1972.
Jon and Judy Flanagin purchased the house in 1973. Judy died in 2013 and Jon remained in the house until his death in 2023. Both taught at the University of South Dakota until their retirements in 2005. Jon was professor and chair of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work; Judy taught in speech pathology. Their sons, Craig and Andrew own the house and are prepared to sell it to an equally devoted owner (contact [email protected]).
From the late Victorian period, the house is a well-preserved example of the Spindlework subtype of Queen Anne. This subtype is exemplified by such aspects as the turned posts of the wrap-around porch, the frieze spindles below the roof of the porch, scrolled brackets and decorative shingles. The narrow front of the house faces Cottage Avenue (404) and the front door leads to its elegant entryway. The two and a half stories with their dormer and gable, a picture window, and screened and open porches dominate the southern expanse of the house and side yard which can be seen from Dartmouth Street. A garage west of the house, showing Craftsman elements, replaced an old barn in about 1915.
Careful modernization has retained the historic integrity. Original oak flooring and trim, plaster and lathe walls, stained glass windows, a pocket door, a fireplace, and a built-in china cabinet remain and grace the living rooms of the first floor. The second floor houses four bedrooms, an office, a storage closet and a full bathroom which was modernized with period features. On the main floor, the back porch was enclosed for more kitchen space. For more information about 404 Cottage Avenue, please see VHPC | Historic Properties: Individual
Each month, the commission highlights a house in Vermillion that is classified as a contributing property in the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places (NR). Houses listed in the NR have maintained the historical integrity of their architectural and/or historic significance and are at least fifty years old. The house is featured on the commission’s website at VermillionHPC.org and on its page, Historic Preservation Commission. The owner receives a certificate, and a sign will be placed in the front yard of the property for the month. Photos: Andrew Flanagin

05/08/2026

Check out this city post. Tree-lined streets are the ethos of historical neighborhoods: Are you planning to plant trees in 2026? Take advantage of the City's Re-Tree Vermillion Initiative and earn up to $200 via the rebate program. More details and program requirements are available on the City website. This program has limited funding, so act today!🌳

The Vermillion Re-Tree Initiative is committed to diversifying and increasing the tree population. Vermillion is fortunate to have many mature trees but unfortunately, some of these trees are aging and threatened by the Emerald Ash Borer. To ensure that Vermillion's tree canopy remains a signature f...