The Live Stock National Bank & Exchange Building in Sioux City, Iowa was designed by the architect William L. Steele in 1915. It was a modern addition to the 19th century Exchange Building in the heart of the Stock yards. Steele had worked in the studio of Louis Sullivan in Chicago before moving to Iowa and later in collaboration with G.G. Elmslie was responsible for the construction of the magnificent Woodbury County Courthouse, also in Sioux City. As a prominent Prairie School architect he adorned northwestern Iowa with many unique and treasured buildings. Elmslie also was the key factor in the design of the wonderful terra cottas which adorn the Courthouse as well as those on the Exchange Building. In the winter of 1998 a fire destroyed the older part of that building. The Steele structure remained standing but untenable.

Because it had been the pulse of Sioux City for so many decades and had held such meaning for countless people in this area, Steven Blenderman had the idea of transforming the terra cottas into a fountain. In collaboration with his business partner, Kirk Hoefling, they embarked upon the task of designing a memorial. Blenderman and Hoefling are from this region and both Blenderman’s grandfather, in 1916, had been employed at the Exchange Building and Hoefling’s father, in 2002 was the last to auction livestock in the Yards, and had an office there up until the fire.

Many months were spent in developing the fountain to resemble the architectural aspects of the original building. By emulating its tripartite façade and using tapestry bricks and terra cottas among other elements, it all related back to Steele and The Prairie School concepts of design. No one asked them to do this. It was done out of an inner need to preserve a part of the history of Sioux City and yet present it to the public as never seen before. When the first stages of their concept were completed, they approached the Planning and Development Dept. in City Hall and were given the nod to proceed and develop it further. In the space of another year, every detail was finalized and the plans were drawn up with a great amount of discussion and determination.

Through the revitalization of downtown Sioux City a Plaza has been added reminiscent of European cites where the populace is invited to promenade and enjoy the space. On this site the fountain will be built creating an area of delight and entertainment for the community. The ornate terra cottas, which once decorated the upper stories of the 1915 Exchange Building Addition, will be brought down to the pedestrian level. Water will flow from the mouths of the steer panels into overflow basins then into the main pool whose floor will be made of a mosaic design taken from an element inside the old building. Sixteen water jets will rise from the pool. Four pylons with commemorative plaques and lanterns will compliment the fountain. And the fountain itself will serve as a memorial to a building, its architect, William L. Steele, its terra cotta designer, G.G. Elmslie, and the role it played in the history of Sioux City.

Click here to read the December 18, 2004 article in the Sioux City Journal.

Click here to read the February 06, 2005 article in the Sioux City Journal.

Click here to view more photos and information on the development of this project.