[1] From 1917 to 1925, the convergence of several economic factors gave rise to a speculative bubble in meat-packing plants in the United States.

In 1919, moreover, the market for Liberty Bonds declined, driving investors to seek better returns; meat production appeared to offer this.

The Associated Packing Company plant in Des Moines never progressed beyond the acquisition of a second-hand hog-scraping machine.

A building in the Sioux City stockyards, designed by Chicago architectural firm Gardner and Lindberg, was constructed in 1918–19, at an estimated cost of $3 million.

In 1949, an underground gas leak led to an explosion that killed 21 people, injured 91, and produced property damage of $1 million.

In 1953, the Floyd River flooded, extensively damaging the plant, along with the nearby Cudahy and Armour facilities, the railroad yards, and the stock pens.

[3][4] Swift closed the facility in 1974, citing a design that did not meet current standards for packing plants.

[5][6] In 1979, the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as the only major meat-packing plant remaining in Sioux City from the early 20th century.

[2][3] KD Station weathered a certain amount of adversity, including the opening of the Southern Hills Mall in 1980 and the general decline of the stockyards area.

However, in 2004, a fire that began in an outdoor electrical transformer caused extensive damage to the building; at about the same time, a major leak developed in the roof.