Digging Out of Neglect: Restoring Mount Pleasant and Remembering Dr. Richard Lamb

Inside the remarkable comeback of Sioux Falls’ oldest cemetery, a place where history was nearly lost, then lovingly revived. After Mount Pleasant Cemetery fell into disrepair and lost its nonprofit status, volunteers and a brand‑new board stepped in, transforming wild grass and leaning stones into a restored, transparent, community‑driven landmark in just six months.In this episode, we walk through revival efforts from new leadership and funding strategies to the hands‑on projects that brought dignity back to the grounds. You’ll also meet Dr. Richard Lamb, a pioneering Black barber‑surgeon whose life and legacy reveal a powerful, often overlooked chapter of early Sioux Falls. His story, along with other early Black residents like Louisa Mitchell, shows why preserving Mount Pleasant matters: because when we restore a place, we restore the people and memories it holds.Perfect for history lovers, preservation fans, and anyone who believes community action can change a city, this episode reminds us that forgotten stories aren’t gone they’re just waiting for someone to bring them back into the light.Mount Pleasant CemeteryThrowback ThursdayLocal Lou Podcast