Spearfish Canyon Offers a Story in the Pines

Spearfish Canyon Offers a Story in the Pines. . , Spearfish Canyon offers a rare opportunity for visitors to take a step back in time. Like many natural areas, the canyon has witnessed numerous changes that have left lasting impressions on the landscape. However, the canyon still displays a few features from the frontier. Look around...do you see anything out of place?, As the old, abandoned buildings of the past vanish, outdoor recreation has become the prime interest throughout the area. Yet, a visitor may still see signs of an old roadway or railroad bed., Railroad photo caption: The railroad provided access to the canyon for fishermen, sightseers, picnickers, and berry pickers. Spearfish Canyon was a popular spot for locals and tourists in the late 1890s., Change is Good , A railroad built in 1893 opened Spearfish Canyon with easy access to the public. However, by the early 1900s, automobiles became the preferred way to travel. For this reason, the railroad line was abandoned and removed in the 1930s. The removal was not in vain; a roadway followed the same route a as the railroad line. Look closely throughout the canyon; remnants of the railroad line still exist., Tourism photo captions: Touring cars were a common sight in many western parks after World War II. This mode of travel exposed visitors to the sights of our nation's rich natural heritage. , Tourists of earlier years dressed more formal than today. Even though the scenery has not changed, it may take visitors by surprise to imagine themselves in dresses or suits. , Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is often claimed as one of the best scenic roadways in the Midwest. Its landscape is unrivaled in the Black Hills, and its winding path immerses visitors in the scenery., Spearfish Canyon Offered More Than Scenery , During the frontier years, Spearfish Canyon was home to mining and logging. Timber supported the underground openings in the Homestake Gold Mine. Nearby Spearfish Creek served as a source for electrical power. The power was needed to operate gold processing machinery. As a side benefit, towns such as Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood, and Central City were electrified. Spearfish Canyon timber and hydroelectric power continue to aid the Black Hills today., Mining photo captions: Reaching more than 8000 feet below the town of Lead, the Homestake Gold Mine was the oldest, largest, and deepest mine in the western hemisphere. For many years, it was the largest employer in western South Dakota. , The Homestake Gold Mine closed in 2002. It had served the region in gold production for over 125 years. Unknown to most visitors, though, is its protection and preservation of Spearfish Canyon.