Sweeney Building

On this site, the southwest corner of Main and Seventh Street, early Rapid City businessman Thomas Sweeney launched his successful hardware business in 1887. His three-story warehouse had more floor space than any business house in Rapid City. Tom Sweeney Hardware Co. had the most extensive and varied stock of merchandise to be found in this part of the state. He invented a "roundup stove," and manufactured it here. The portable stove was sold throughout the West.

The building stood for more than 100 years, until a 1997 fire destroyed it. The Blote family, owners of the property and operators of First Stop Gun Shop on the ground floor, rebuilt on the site. Their two-story structure complements the Sweeney building as well as the Downtown Rapid City Historic District.