South Dakota is the 16th largest state and is located in the midwestern USA. It has a dry climate, and it is part of the central USA prairie lands. Pierre, its capital, is the 2nd least populous state capital in the US.

South Dakota

September 2009

RAPID CITY

Set against the eastern slope of the Black Hills mountain range, Rapid City’s population was 59,607 at the 2000 census, and has now grown to over 70,000. It is known as the "Gateway to the Black Hills" and the "Star of the West" with Rapid Creek flowing through it. The racial makeup of the city is 84% white, 10% Native American; the remainder is a mix of minorities.

The public discovery of gold in 1874 by the Custer Expedition brought a mass influx of settlers into the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The area became a popular tourist destination in the late 1890s. Gutzon Borglum, already a famous sculptor, began work on Mount Rushmore in 1927, and his son continued the carving of the presidents' faces in rock following his father's death in 1941. This source of tourism is great revenue for the area. Another great source of income has been tied to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, an event that occurs every August. Ellsworth AFB also helps increase population and employment. Today, Rapid City is South Dakota's primary city for tourism and recreation.

In 1980 The Sioux Nation declared that the US government had illegally stolen the Black Hills from the Sioux people when the government broke the treaty that guaranteed the Black Hills belonged to the Sioux Nation. This land includes Rapid City, the largest modern settlement in the Black Hills. As of 2009, the dispute has not been settled.

Rapid City is a pleasant, laid-back, all-American middle class city. It is easy to get around, pedestrian friendly, low traffic and very manageable. An interesting walk thru this city will find you 40 different presidential sculptures on the street corners, crafty and original Native American hand-made articles and other interesting sites.

DEADWOOD

In 1874, under the command of General George Custer, a government-sponsored expedition confirmed the presence of gold in the Black Hills. While the gold rush brought the likes of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, it also provided the wetitleh to construct a thriving commercial center in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The canyon became known as "Deadwood Gulch," because of the many dead trees that lined the canyon walls at the time. By 1877, Deadwood evolved from a primitive mining camp to a community with a sense of order. The community organized a town government that relied on Sheriff Seth Bullock, one of the founding fathers, to keep law and order. In the mid-1880s, Theodore Roosevelt (before his presidency) moved to a ranch in the Dakota territory. During this period, he and Sheriff Bullock became very close friends, their relationship lasting for decades.

Deadwood today has 80-plus gaming halls and provides the same lively action as 100 years ago. By the mid-1980's, many of the city's historic buildings were in ruins. May 21, 1980 was doomsday for Deadwood’s brothels. For over 100 years, prostitution had prospered here. Likewise, by 1990 Deadwood’s Chinatown had few visible remnants.

In 1986, Deadwood citizens formed an organization and advocated legalized gaming to increase tourism and generate historic maintenance funds. The tourism industry has been greatly revitalized. Significant funds have been provided for city government activities. Their extensive Victorian architecture, unique to the West, has been maintained. Today Deadwood is considered the largest historic restoration project in the United States.

There was an HBO series titled "Deadwood" which aired for three seasons that followed the historic development of this Western gold-mining frontier town. We have enjoyed watching all that is available on DVDs; it seemed to be quite authentic.

MOUNT RUSHMORE

In the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota (so-called because the tall dark green ponderosa pines from a distance appear black), the historic masterpiece of Danish sculptor Gutzon Borglum rises up above the forests and streams. This majestic tribute of strength and determination to the freedom and democracy of America holds the massive likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln emerging from the granite.

In 1927, Borglum felt that these were the four presidents who had influenced the American West and would be appropriate for carving. Work progressed for the next 14 years with delays due to weather cracking, poor quality work and financing. Special methods for blasting and shaping the granite were developed, and when Borglum died in 1941, his son completed the project. He insisted that visitors should never be charged to see his masterpiece, and that remains so today. There is a paid parking facility, but there is also free parking in other lots.

SPEARFISH (population: 8,606)

Home of Black Hills State University, Spearfish is nestled in a broad valley on the northern edge of the Black Hills. Its unique setting contributes to a 4-season recreation spot. It lies near the mouth of Spearfish Canyon with flowing waterfalls and limestone canyons. It is an outdoor paradise with peaceful hiking trails, tranquil streams and serene wildlife. The 22 mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway runs from Spearfish to Cheyenne Crossing.

BELLE FOURCHE (population 4,565)

Belle Fourche (beautiful fork) is located at the confluence of this river and Redwater River. In the past, it was an important livestock shipping railhead, and today is a vast wool shipping warehouse area. Downtown has an early 1900 feel with antique shops. It is also famous for its big rodeo celebrations. With the admission of Alaska and Hawaii in 1959, Belle Fourche became the geographical center of our nation. A new monument designated in 2007 represents this small community as the Center of the Nation.

LEAD (population 3,027)

Lead is a century-old community founded by miners and merchants. It is home to the Homestake Gold mine and is a sister city to Deadwood. This mine produced 40 million ounces of gold, valued at over a billion dollars. It closed in 2002 as the oldest, largest and deepest mine in the western hemisphere. This little mile-high community has some elegant Victorian mansions, quaint old-time miners’ homes and old-fashioned storefronts on the slopes of the Black Hills. It also has two ski resorts and groomed trails for snowmobiles.

KEYSTONE (population: 311)

Keystone began as a small mining town in the 1890s. In early 1990, the railroad (now the 1880s Train) arrived in town, and tourism replaced mining with the Mt. Rushmore carving of presidents. The legendary Holy Terror Gold Mine, along with the Big Thunder Gold Mine is still open today for mine tours. You can board the 1880 Train for an excursion thru the scenic Black Hills on a vintage steam train, either here or in Hill City…the two possible destinations.. You can also take a mountain ride at Presidents’ Slide or ride the chairlift to enjoy the breathtaking views. Visitors can choose from a nice selection of lodging, campgrounds, restaurants, historic sites, museums and gift shops.

HILL CITY (population: 780)

Another mining town in a beautiful setting of Black Hills, flourishing today on tourism and logging. Hill City is set midway between Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse; It has high quality restaurants, including the Alpine Inn where we had a great lunch. They serves both traditional and European cuisine in a lovely inn. Some say it is becoming the Santa Fe of the Black Hills because of the fine art galleries, variety of art, Native American shops, museums, etc. It also is home to the 1880s Train which travels back and forth to Keystone, a two hour ride.

STURGIS (population 6,442)

The Mecca of Motorcyclists! This town is acclaimed internationally for the world’s biggest motorcycle rally. Every year, the second week in August has become the rowdy town, legendary in bike circles around the world. Hundreds of vendors arrive with canopies or merchandise. Church basements become cafeterias. Backyards become campgrounds. Bikers from all over flock here for a week-long party: movie stars, businessmen, diplomats, policemen, preachers, housewives, etc.

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL

This mountainous tribute to the North American Indians…still unfinished…is 641 ft. long, 563 ft. high with a 219 ft. high horse head. It was created by Korczak Ziolkowski at the request of Sioux Chief Henry Standing Bear. He started the project with chisels and hammers; blasting on the mountain started in 1948. When Korczak died in 1982, his wife (18 yrs. younger) and his 10 children continued to work toward its completion. Its purpose is to remind all Americans of the debt we owe to these first Americans.

THE BADLANDS

The French Canadian trappers were the first men to record their impressions of the Badlands. They called the region les mauvaises terres a traverses (bad land to travel across). The grasslands of the High Plains seem to continue on and on; then all of a sudden the prairie transforms into a tough wilderness of Badlands….it sneaks up on you. The terrain has sharp ridges, gullies, steep canyons, pyramids that have been ravaged by nature over many years. They are bizarre with deep gorges, huge buttes and unusual spires…all creating a strange beauty within a very desolate land. There are 160 square miles here reserved for the National Park System and nine scenic overlooks along the Badlands State Scenic Byway, You may hike almost anywhere in the park. Wildlife you may encounter include: buffalo, deer, antelope pronghorn, turkeys, vultures and loads of prairie dogs.

CUSTER CITY/CUSTER STATE PARK

Custer City, established in 1875, was the first town in the Black Hills. It is named after General George Custer who led a military charge into the Hills and had his party scalped by the Indians. Gold was discovered during his military expedition, and this community has experienced a colorful history influenced through mining, lumbering, ranching and tourism. By Jan. 1876, the city had boomed to a town of 1,000. By Sept., the population was 6,000. Six miles north of Custer City is Crazy Horse Memorial (what irony), that tribute to the Sioux warrior who lead the deadly charge against Custer.

Additionally, there are fun, family-oriented attractions: Bedrock City (home of the Flintstones), Beaver Lake waterslide, National Museum of Woodcarving.

Just east of Custer City is the crown jewel of South Dakota Park System…the 71,000 acre Custer State Park where one of America’s largest bison herd roams; there are also pronghorn antelope, deer, mountain goats, prairie dogs, and wild begging burros who surround the windows of your car for food. This is the second largest state park in the United States.

WALL/WALL DRUG STORE

Wall’s small-town Main Street is decidedly western and bustles with visitors browsing attractions and gift shops. Wall is home to the world-famous Wall Drug Store with a world-class collection of western art. This store survived the Depression by offering free ice water to thirsty travelers, and then grew into an internationally known emporium of galleries and unique attractions, in addition to a restaurant, gift shop, animated cowboy orchestra, rides for the kids, over 1400 photographs taken in the late 1800s in SD, WY, and MT….and many more interesting sites.

South Dakota Photo Gallery

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