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

George S. Mickelson Trail

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2018

1. George S. Mickelson Trail Marker

Inscription. South Dakota's George S. Mickelson Trail is a 109 mile, multiuse recreational trail that runs through the heart of the Black Hills. The Mickelson Trail is one of the United States premier "Rails to Trails" projects that began in 1983 after the abandonment of the railroad by Burlington Northern Railroad Company. A group of Black Hills citizens organized a grass roots movement to convert the abandoned railroad grade into a recreational trail. In 1998, the trail was officially dedicated and named in honor of the late George S. Mickelson, South Dakota's 28th Governor and staunch proponent of the trail system. The Mickelson Trail is a must see and do for residents and visitors alike. The trail meanders through Ponderosa Pine forests, over mountainous streams, and transverses across narrow valleys connecting the communities of Edgemont, Custer, Hill City, Mystic, Rochford, Lead and Deadwood along the crushed limestone trail. Please consult the Mickelson Trail Guide from the South Dakota Game Fish 86 Parks (SD-GF86P) for mileage, elevation change, trailheads and water availability.

This interpretative panel was developed using funds from the 2014 - 2016 South Dakota Department of Transportation US Highway 85 reconstruction project.

Erected by The Deadwood

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Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1998.

Location. 44° 21.595′ N, 103° 44.324′ W. Marker is in Pluma, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. Marker is on CanAm Highway (U.S. 85) north of U.S. 385, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located beside the Mickelson Trail, on the west side of the highway, adjacent to the Pluma, South Dakota Visitor Center parking lot, and overlooking Whitewood Creek. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Deadwood SD 57732, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Flooding & The Railroads (a few steps from this marker); Cheyenne & Deadwood Stage Route (a few steps from this marker); Good Roads Movement & Lawrence County (within shouting distance of this marker); Pluma: Right Place, Right Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Pluma's Power Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. L.R.S. Ferguson Ski & Sled Area (approx. ¾ mile away); Cleveland (approx. ¾ mile away); Partners in Land Preservation (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pluma.

More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on two waist-high posts.

Marker detail: South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson January 31, 1941 - April 19, 1993 image. Click for full size.

South Dakota State Historical Society

2. Marker detail: South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson January 31, 1941 - April 19, 1993

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. George S. Mickelson Trail

Also see . . . George S. Mickelson Trail. The George S. Mickelson Trail, in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills, was completed in September of 1998. Its gentle slopes and easy access allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills. Much of the trail passes through National Forest Land, but there are parts of the trail that pass through privately owned land, where the trail use is restricted to the trail only. The trail is 109 miles long and contains more than 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels. The trail surface is primarily crushed limestone and gravel. (Submitted on August 5, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: (left to right) Guy Edwards, Gov. George Mickelson, and Dick Lee image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Deadwood Magazine

3. Marker detail: (left to right) Guy Edwards, Gov. George Mickelson, and Dick Lee

1991 ribbon cutting and dedication of the first six miles of the future Mickelson Trail.

Marker detail: Mountain biking, snowmobiling and hiking along the George S. Mickelson Trail image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Mountain biking, snowmobiling and hiking along the George S. Mickelson Trail

George S. Mickelson Trail Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2018

5. George S. Mickelson Trail Marker (tall view)

George S. Mickelson Trail Marker (<i>wide view; overlooking Whitewood Creek</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2018

6. George S. Mickelson Trail Marker (wide view; overlooking Whitewood Creek)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 4, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 5, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.