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Western History

You'll need to do lots of homework if you want to track down all of the Western history to be found in the Black HiIls.      Much of what has been written about the hills focuses on the Deadwood and Lead gold mining history, but we think that overlooks lots of other places in the Black Hills with huge historical significance. In fact, the first gold discovered in the hills was near present-day Custer. And, both Keystone and Hill City were once gold mining camps every bit as colorful as Deadwood. Hill City had its infamous "mile of hell" and before there was a Keystone there was the famous Etta mining camp.        Although the 1876 Black Hills Gold Rush is certainly the most famous bit of history, it is only part of a fabric that covers many decades and other aspects of pioneer life. Take, for instance, the all-but-forgotten town of Buffalo Gap and its once-infamous bull-dog madam. Buffalo Gap was, for a time, a cattle town every bit as wild as Abilene or Dodge City. Located just to the east of the Black Hills, Buffalo Gap flourished as the first town reached by the railroad in 1885. Cattlemen from all over Western South Dakota brought in their herds for shipment to the markets in the East.  For a time, the town was as lawless as any in the West.          Then there were the other mining booms: Tin in the early 20th Century, followed by spodemine, feldspar, mica, tungsten and even uranium booms as late as the 1950s.  All of this history remains. ... in some places, just laying on the ground.        And who could forget the rich railroading history? There were long and short lines of all types, including old narrow-gauge trains pulled by stout Shays, Heislers and Saddlebacks that are so loved today by model railroaders. They all steamed through the canyons of the Black Hills.        Finally, there are the stories, rich in detail and embelished beyond belief with over a hundred years of retelling. Many, though seemingly impossible to believe, are true: Like the Legend of Hugh Glass who was left for dead on the plains of Western South Dakota and crawled weaponless and nearly naked for 200 miles to reach safety.  Or the group of black prospectors who arrived in early Deadwood only to be sent away on a wild-goose-chase to the west where they struck it rich and became millionaires.  And then there's the numerous road agents, gamblers, madams and gun slingers, such as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Poker Alice who are now either famous and forgotten.  Here are some more stories about the Black Hills.      We can't possibly touch on everything here, but if this history interests you, follow these links about the Plains Indians  and the  South Dakota State Historical Society . BACK HOME