Whitewood in Lawrence County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Whitewood's Railroad History

October 16, 2021

1. Whitewood's Railroad History Marker

Inscription. In November of 1887, the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad pulled into Whitewood. These passenger and freight trains were the first to reach the Northern Black Hills from the East. Whitewood remained the end of the line for three years until Deadwood’s branch line and the main line to Belle Fourche were completed. Fourteen trains a day rolled through Whitewood making the town an active community and social center for celebrations.

The agricultural products of lumber, cattle, horses, sheep, poultry, grain, and flour were shipped out of the Whitewood Terminal. The Dust Bowl Days brought an end to the productivity of the area’s ranching and farming, and Whitewood businesses. The railroad freight business suffered. By the 1940s, automobiles and highways began replacing passenger trains.

Erected 2016 by the City of Whitewood and the Mary Chilton DAR Foundation. (Marker Number 716.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1887.

Location. 44° 27.661′ N, 103° 38.316′ W. Marker is in Whitewood

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, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. It is at the intersection of Meade Street and Laurel Street, on the right when traveling west on Meade Street. The marker is located at the 8-10 Club Memorial Garden in Whitewood. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1010 Meade Street, Whitewood SD 57793, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River.

It is also in the American Black Hills,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Whitewood's Cattle Industry (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frawley Brothers Upper Ranch (approx. 4.1 miles away); Centennial School (approx. 4.3 miles away); Frawley Brothers Middle Ranch (approx. 4.3 miles away); 1940 DAR Penny Pines Forest (approx. 4.4 miles away); Henry Weston Smith (approx. 5.6 miles away); Preacher Smith of Deadwood Gulch (approx. 5.6 miles away); Sharing an Experience (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Whitewood.

October 16, 2021

2. Whitewood's Railroad History Marker

Whitewood's Railroad History Marker at 8-10 Club Memorial Garden image. Click for full size.

October 16, 2021

3. Whitewood's Railroad History Marker at 8-10 Club Memorial Garden

Whitewood's Railroad History Marker, from the north image. Click for full size.

October 16, 2021

4. Whitewood's Railroad History Marker, from the north

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2021. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2021. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.