Rapid City in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Skyline Drive

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026

1. Skyline Drive Marker

Inscription.

In 1933, application for appropriations for the construction of a Skyline Drive for Rapid City was submitted to the State Civil Works Board. Right of Way was donated and with the support of local government, the roadway and the natural stone retaining walls were constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program.

Skyline Drive provides easy access to scenic views of the city and the surrounding areas. The mountain ridge itself contains unique rock formations, abundant wildlife and a variety of native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses. Skyline Drive has been the source for visitors to see a snap-shot of open wilderness that lays beyond city boundaries. It is an open gate to the Black Hills. To a young child, it is a secret adventure, an awesome playground to be explored while experiencing nature in all its simplistic grandeur.

The People of Rapid City invite you to stop, relax and enjoy the spectacular beauty that lies before you.

In Memory of Samuel John Montgomery
July 4, 1978 -- Aug. 17, 1995

Erected by City of Rapid City.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 44° 4.441′ N, 103° 14.929′ W. Marker is in Rapid City, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It is on Skyline Drive, in the median. Marker is at the scenic overlook. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1339 Skyline Drive, Rapid City SD 57701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River

and in the Badlands.

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 walking distance of this marker: Stegosaurus (approx. 0.3 miles away); Apatosaurus (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Inconvenient Truth (approx. 0.3 miles away); Trachodon (approx.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026

2. Skyline Drive Marker

0.3 miles away); Tyrannosaurus Rex (approx. 0.3 miles away); Local Lakota: Osh Kosh Camp (approx. 0.3 miles away); Triceratops (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Great Race/Black Hills Geology (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rapid City.

Skyline Drive Overlook View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026

3. Skyline Drive Overlook View

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.