In 1959 following the admission of Alaska and Hawaii to the Union, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic survey officially designated a point 20 miles north of Belle Fourche, South Dakota as the Geographic Center of the Nation. Entry of Alaska and Hawaii as states moved the site from its old position in Smith Center Kansas to Butte County, South Dakota. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic survey announced that the location of the new center is at Latitude 44 degrees, 58 minutes North, and Longitude 103 degrees, 46 minutes West.
This building houses the Tri-State Museum and the Center of the Nation Visitor Center. The museum explores the history of the surrounding region, which includes western South Dakota, eastern Wyoming, and southeastern Montana. The museum, which is owned and operated by the city of Belle Fourche, features exhibits that focus on a variety of topics including pioneer life, the Old West, rodeos, the growth and development of the city, and local military history. Visitors will see numerous items and artifacts that reflect these topics such as photographs, pioneer-era clothing, military uniforms and memorabilia. Additionally, the museum grounds feature two landmarks: the historic 1876 Spaulding cabin and the Geographic Center of the Nation Monument. Belle Fourche lies in the area where the center of the country is located (within the margin of error). The monument is made of polished granite in the shape of a compass and is surrounded by the flags of all 50 states and the national flags of the U.S. and Canada.
The Butte County Courthouse and Historic Jail Building, which are located next to each other in the same block, are significant in both architecture and in the role they played in the history of the county. The courthouse was built in 1912 and is a good example of Neo-Classical architecture (it also features elements of Beaux-Arts style). Interesting elements include a large portico with four columns and a domed octagonal cupola. The jail building was built before the courthouse in 1902. The two-story building was constructed with, it is believed, locally sourced sandstone and designed in the Romanesque Revival style. An interesting feature of the jail is the white miniature knight above the entrance (it is not known if it was original to the building). Both buildings are listed, together, on the National Register of Historic Places.
Constructed in 1949, First Congregational United Church of Christ is a historic church in Belle Fourche. It is significant for being one of the best examples of Tudor Revival architecture in the state. Still a vibrant congregation today, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
The D.C. Booth National Fish Hatchery and Archives was established in 1896 and is one of the oldest operating hatcheries in the country. Its original purpose was to breed, stock, and establish trout populations in the Black Hills region. The hatchery continues this work today. The site features the Von Bayer Museum of Fish Culture, archives, the historic 1905 Booth House, a replica of a railcar called Fish Car No. 3, a replica ice house, a restored boat called U.S. Fisheries Boat #39 used by the hatchery, the hatchery ponds, and trails. The museum, which is housed in the original hatchery building erected in 1899, collects and preserves fish hatchery objects from around the country, and also explores the history of fish culture and technology. The museum's fish management and culture collection—the largest in the U.S.—holds more than 185,000 items including equipment, periodicals, publications, and personal artifacts. The museum also offers a variety of educational programs for schools and the public. The entire hatchery site, which is ten acres in size, was added to the National Register of Historic Places 1978. The hatchery is historically significant for its role in wildlife conservation and its positive economic impact on Spearfish.
High Plains Heritage Center Museum offers 20,000 square feet of exhibits that preserve and display western history, culture, and art. This regional Museum traces the history of Native Americans, pioneers, and their descendents. Among the popular displays are the original stagecoach that traveled from Spearfish to the infamous Old West boomtown Deadwood.
At 4,750 acres in size, the historic Frawley Ranch was one of the largest and most successful cattle ranches in western South Dakota. Now a tourist destination called Elkhorn Ridge Resort, the ranch was named after the Frawley family, who lived here for 140 years before selling it in 2017. Located in the Centennial Valley, the ranch is actually comprised of six historic homesteads that Henry Frawley, the family patriarch, gradually acquired in the late 1880s and early 1900s. The ranch is significant in the following areas: agriculture, education, architecture, and culture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. Visitors can take a historic tour of the property as well as enjoy the various recreational activities the resort offers.
Located just north of Deadwood, Tatanka Story of the Bison is a small tourist attraction dedicated to the Bison, which in the Lakota language is "tatanka." It was established by actor Kevin Costner, who starred in and directed the film "Dances With Wolves." The site features the Northern Plains Peoples Educational Interpretive Center, costumes from the film, tipis, and a large bronze sculpture called "Lakota Bison Jump" created by local artist Peggy Detmers. Lakota Indians also give regular presentations.
Located just 2.5 miles from Deadwood, Mount Theodore Roosevelt Monument is a historic stone tower serving as a monument to President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919). Roosevelt's long-time friend, Deadwood resident, and famous Western American figure Seth Bullock led the effort to build the tower, which was erected just six months after Roosevelt's death in January 1919. The tower, which stands 31 feet high, was the first memorial for Roosevelt built in the country. The site also features a picnic table and interpretive sign. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
Erected in 1891, the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church is one of the more unique historic structures in Lead. A simple one-story building, the church is significant in that it is only Finnish building in the town still standing. There is also a unique painting above the altar created by a miner named Charles Alaniva in 1907. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It has been a gift shop and is now a boutique art and clothing store.
The Black Hills Mining Museum was founded in 1986 to preserve and promote the rich history of the industry in the region. The museum features exhibits in which various items, memorabilia and artifacts are displayed. There is also a realistic underground gold mine tour created by miners of the closed Homestake Gold Mine. It shows how mining evolved over 125 years in terms of the changes in mining clothing, tools, techniques, and equipment. There is also a 20-minute movie about mining in the Black Hills. Visitors can also pan for (and keep) gold in the museum's indoor panning tank.
The Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center is the public face of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (also referred to as Sanford Lab), which is located in the old Homestake gold mine that closed in 2002. The visitor center building is located directly next to the mine's open pit, which is 1,250 feet deep. Sanford Lab is a physics research facility that works to better our understanding of the universe. It conducts experiments deep below the surface to avoid cosmic radiation, which disrupts the experiments. Scientists at the lab also conduct experiments in biology, geology, and engineering. The visitor center features exhibits about the lab, the city of Lead, and the history of the Homestake mine. Visitors will see mining and science artifacts, historic pictures, videos, and a 3-D model of the mine. The center also offers tours of the facility.
Operated by Historic Deadwood, Inc., the historic Adams Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the city and the Black Hills. The museum is named after its founder, businessman, and six-term mayor, William E. Adams. He built the museum in 1930 and donated it to the city. The building is a fine example of Classical Revival architecture. The museum features many historical items on display including personal belongings, memorabilia, and artifacts of well-known historical figures of Deadwood. Highlights include a large 7.346 troy ounce gold nugget, a pencil sketch of the famous Western historical figure Wild Bill Hickok by illustrator N.C. Wyeth, and a rare specimen of a plesiosaur (an ancient marine reptile). The building is a contributing property of the Deadwood Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic Deadwood also operates the Days of '76 Museum, the Historic Adams House (see below), and the Homestake Adams Research Center, which holds one of the largest collection of Black Hills archival materials in the country.
Erected in 1896, the Bullock Hotel is one of many historic buildings that line Main Street in downtown Deadwood. It is named after one of its builders and Deadwood's first sheriff and friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, Seth Bullock, who was depicted in the HBO series "Deadwood." The other builder was Bullock's Jewish business partner, Sol Star, who was also portrayed in the series. The hotel is the first and oldest hotel in the city and continues to operate today. It still retains some original interior features including the skylight and large staircase.
The Saab Heritage Car Museum USA's mission is to preserve, inspire, and educate visitors about Saab automobiles and how they contributed to American car culture. Another point of emphasis is on repair education. There are more than 80 vintage and newer cars on display, including the oldest Saab in the country and rare Saabs from the GM Heritage Collection. Most of the cars are drivable.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture and history of motorcycling. To this end, the museum collects motorcycles and memorabilia, and honors the individuals in the hall of fame who have made an a positive impact in the motorcycling community. Visitors to the museum will see 85 vintage motorcycles on display, some of which are very rare, as well as art, photographs, patches, and a variety of other motorcycle-related items. Notable motorcycles include the 1982 Harley Davidson FXR Super Glide 2, the 1912 "Flying Merkel", a 1922 ACE Inline 4, and Cabana Dan's Triple Lindy. The museum also the story of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which occurs every year in August.
The museum preserves the history of Fort Meade, a cavalry post established in 1878 that was an active military installation until 1944. Ostensibly built to protect US territory and stage coach routes, the soldiers were more often called upon to protect the illegal white immigrants who were invading Sioux territory. Even though federal law as established by the Black Hills Treaty made obligated the US government to prevent its citizens from encroaching upon Sioux territory, the soldiers were soon deployed against the Sioux.
This dome-shaped mass of igneous rock, known to geologists as a "laccolith," has long been a sacred place to area Native American tribes. The site is part of Bear Butte State Park and was elevated to the status of a National Historic Landmark in 1981. Standing at 4,426 feet, Bear Butte was seen as a place to connect to nature and sacred spirits by area tribes for centuries. The site was used by explorers of European descent as a reference point, especially following the influx of fortune seekers in the area when gold was discovered in the Black Hills. Since 1961 Bear Butte has been recognized as a state park, allowing hiking and viewing of the mountain. Native tribes continue to hold ceremonies at the site. While some of the ceremonies are restricted to tribal members, others are open to the public.
This Tour is a Driving or Biking Tour.
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This extended drive through northwestern South Dakota includes numerous museums related to Western history, mining and ranching, automobiles and motorcycles, and the culture and history of Native Americans.
