The Dakota Territorial Legislature met in February of 1889. While in session, they passed a bill establishing the Dakota Soldiers’ Home to be located in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The bill carried an appropriation of $45,000 for construction. The object of the Home was to provide the care and subsistence for veterans and their wives and widows who meet eligibility requirements for admission to the Home.
The cornerstone of the first building was placed on November 11, 1889.
On October 3, 1998, Governor William J. Janklow and Major General Philip Killey dedicated the South Dakota Veterans Home to Medal of Honor Recipient “Michael J. Fitzmaurice.” Michael received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity of action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Specialist Four, United States Army, Troop D, 2nd Squadron, 17th Calvary, 101st Airborne Division at Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, March 23, 1971.
In 2010 staff began working with federal and state officials to secure funding to construct a new state veterans home. Building Four was dismantled in 2013 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in September of 2013 to construct the new home.
In January of 2016 residents were moved into the new home and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held in March. The newly designed Michael J. Fitzmaurice South Dakota Veteran's Home is a 133,000-square-foot stacked two-story building with a lower level walkout main entrance. The 100-bed facility is used to serve South Dakota veterans and contains 78 nursing beds and 24 domiciliary beds. The living spaces are broken into eight neighborhoods housed in eight wings. Each neighborhood includes a living room, dining room and kitchen area that provide a home-like environment to the 12-13 occupants housed in each neighborhood. The design incorporates residential type furnishings and finishes, and warm, welcoming colors to give the spaces a more comforting feel.
Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home Endowment Fund
In 2015, the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home Endowment Fund was established to ensure that our residents wants and needs were met.
Those who contribute to the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home Endowment Fund are making a valuable commitment to the state veterans home and its generations to come.
What should I do if I want to support the Endowment Fund?
• Make your gift now by visiting the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home Endowment Fund
• Send your check or money order to the South Dakota Community Foundation, P.O. Box 296, Pierre, SD 57501, earmarked for the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home Endowment Fund.
• Planned giving is providing for a gift to a charitable organization as part of your overall estate plan. Planned giving can be done in a number of ways including through your will, through a trust or through a beneficiary designation. To determine the method of planned giving that best suits your needs, please consult with an attorney, financial planner or other licensed professional.
What gets done with the Endowment Fund?
The MJFSVH Endowment Fund provides funding for activities, programs, and equipment to enhance the quality of life for our residents in perpetuity.
To make a donation scroll up to the top of the page and click on the blue "MJFSV Home Foundation" button in the top right hand side of the page.