Hill City in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Von Woehrman Building
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018
1. Von Woehrman Building Marker
This building is listed on the National Register as the oldest commercial hand-hewn log building in continuous use in South Dakota. Built in 1885 by the German immigrant Camillo Von Woehrman as a saloon and sleeping quarters; in 1890 he began publishing the Harney Peak Mining News, a weekly paper, which he published for over 30 years. The building has survived 3 fires, two of which destroyed major portions of the town. The building had been stuccoed in the 1920’s and had served as a garage and fixit shop until the last fire. Since interior restoration it has been: a fly-tying shop, a book and gun shop, a book, gift and stained glass shop.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 43° 55.851′ N, 103° 34.549′ W. Marker is in Hill City, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 16/385) and McGregor Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, at the northeast corner of the building, near the intersection and facing McGregor Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Main Street, Hill City SD 57745, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
this page online
More about this marker. Marker is mounted on the wall, within a metal frame, behind a protective plexiglass cover.
Regarding Von Woehrman Building. National Register of Historic Places (1977). Building currently houses a restaurant.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018
2. Von Woehrman Building Marker (tall view; mounted at northeast corner of the building)
Photographed By Larry Gertner
3. Von Woehrman Building
National Register of Historic Places
NPGallery: Digital Asset Management System website entry
Click for more information.
NPGallery: Digital Asset Management System website entry
Click for more information.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018
4. Von Woehrman Building (northeast corner view; marker visible, eye-level, front corner)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018
5. Von Woehrman Building (Main Street view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018
6. Von Woehrman Building (north side view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018
7. 1885 Historic Building Interpretive Plaque (also mounted on this building)
This is the oldest hand-hewn log commercial building in South Dakota.
The log walls you see in today’s Desperados restaurant were set in place by Camillo Von Woehrmann back in 1885. He built the original structure as a saloon and sleeping quarters, then used it from 1890 to 1910 as the publishing office of his Harney Peak Mining News.
Back in the days of the gold rush, Hill City was known as “the town with a church on each end and a mile of hell in between.” (Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok may have raised a little hell in Hill City a time or two as well.)
The original log walls survived fires in 1891 and 1902, even though each destroyed major portions of Hill City.
The log walls you see in today’s Desperados restaurant were set in place by Camillo Von Woehrmann back in 1885. He built the original structure as a saloon and sleeping quarters, then used it from 1890 to 1910 as the publishing office of his Harney Peak Mining News.
Back in the days of the gold rush, Hill City was known as “the town with a church on each end and a mile of hell in between.” (Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok may have raised a little hell in Hill City a time or two as well.)
The original log walls survived fires in 1891 and 1902, even though each destroyed major portions of Hill City.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on August 28, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 12, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
