Hot Springs in Fall River County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Historic Wood Jail

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 14, 2025

1. Historic Wood Jail Marker

Inscription.
This historical wooden jail was found within the walls of a frame house at 332 South Chicago Street here in Hot Springs by William L. "Bud" Soper while he was demolishing the structure for salvage. The jail was donated to the city and it was moved to this site in April 1983.

This jail is build of 2x4 lumber laid flat and nailed together with rows of #9 wire between the boards to discourage anyone from sawing through.

Calamity Jane gave quite a drunken exhibition on November 10, 1895 in the Bodega Saloon just down the street and tried to "borrow" a horse to take it for a ride. She was "offered" a nights lodging in the city jail by Mayor C.W.Hargens.

Local historian Helen Magee estimated the jail was built in 1885 or '86. It is the oldest wooden jail in existence in South Dakota.

EST. 1885

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 43° 26.179′ N, 103° 28.878′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, South Dakota, in Fall River County. It is on N. River Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 630 N River Street, Hot Springs SD 57747, 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sandstone Architecture of Hot Springs, SD (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle Mountain (approx. 0.4 miles

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away); Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, SD (approx. 0.9 miles away); Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive (approx. 1.6 miles away); Hot Springs, SD (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive (approx. 3.8 miles away); John Stevenson Robertson: Pioneer Horticulturalist (approx. 4.1 miles away); Fall River Falls (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Another marker is no longer nearby. An Old Jail (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 14, 2025

2. Historic Wood Jail Marker

In Memory of William L. "Bud" Soper image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 14, 2025

3. In Memory of William L. "Bud" Soper

Historic Wood Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 14, 2025

4. Historic Wood Jail

Interior of Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 14, 2025

5. Interior of Jail

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 14, 2025

6. Interior of Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 21, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.