On 2nd Avenue (South Dakota Route 471) at G Street, on the right when traveling north on 2nd Avenue.
These 155mm GPF cannons of French design could fire a projectile 10-12 miles at a
rate of two rounds per minute. This design was used by 10 different countries, including the US, in two World Wars (1917-1945). These surplus cannons were
acquired . . . — — Map (db m277349) HM
On U.S. 18 0.9 miles south of County Road 18S, on the right when traveling south.
The White Draw fire started June 29, 2012 near Highway 18 by a vehicle fire. Due to very dry conditions and strong winds the fire spread quickly.
Most wildland fires are fought "indirectly" from the flank, rear, or overhead. Very important . . . — — Map (db m184799) HM
On U.S. 18 0.2 miles east of Red Canyon Road, on the right when traveling east.
Camp at the Mouth of the Red Canyon, sometimes called Camp Collier, was established at this site in mid-June 1876 to protect travelers over the 150-mile Cheyenne-Black Hills stage road. It came into being after the Sioux, resentful of the white . . . — — Map (db m184460) HM
On U.S. 18 0.5 miles west of Cemetery Road (County Highway 185), on the right when traveling west.
The Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage Line changed routes several times during its history.
In 1876 and 1877, the Cheyenne to Deadwood stagecoaches came through what would become present day Edgemont over what was known as Pollocks Cutoff Route. The . . . — — Map (db m119900) HM
On 2nd Avenue (State Highway 471) north of G Street, on the right when traveling north.
Welcome to Edgemont, the beginning of the Burlington Northern George S. Mickelson Trail! This winding trail follows the abandoned Burlington Northern Railroad route 114 miles through the heart of the Black Hills and ends at Deadwood.
The . . . — — Map (db m123925) HM
On 2nd Avenue (South Dakota Route 471) at G Street, on the right when traveling north on 2nd Avenue.
The Community of Edgemont was established in 1889 with the arrival of the railroad. Edgemont became a hub for several railroads servicing all directions and still has a busy railyard today. The railroad spur to Deadwood begins here and is now . . . — — Map (db m281086) HM
On U.S. 18 0.9 miles south of County Road 18S, on the right when traveling south.
In the early 1970's, a major fire burned into Long Beach, CA, destroying hundreds of homes. In response Congress created the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS), a joint effort between the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Forest . . . — — Map (db m184797) HM
On Highway 18 0.5 miles west of Cemetery Road (County Highway 185), on the right when traveling west.
In early 1890, the Burlington Railroad established Siding 7 three-quarters of a mile up the tracks north from here. The siding consisted of four short, fan-shaped tracks and a hand-operated turntable over an open pit used for servicing engines. . . . — — Map (db m119899) HM
On 2nd Avenue (South Dakota Route 471) north of G Street, on the right when traveling north.
(Side 1)
President Theodore Roosevelt (T. R.) stopped in Edgemont on April 25, 1903 as part of a
western states tour. Hundreds were on hand to welcome him.
An old friend, Seth Bullock of Deadwood, arrived with him.
They were then . . . — — Map (db m124008) HM
Civil War Dead
An estimated 700,000 Union and Confederate soldiers died in the Civil War between April 1861 and April 1865. As the death toll rose, the U.S. government struggled with the urgent but unplanned need to bury fallen Union troops. . . . — — Map (db m314515) HM
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that . . . — — Map (db m314517) HM
On North River Street (U.S. 385) 0.1 miles south of Main Street, on the right when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
Nobody suspected that this old jail existed until it was found within the walls of a frame house on 332 South Chicago Street, Hot Springs. The old residence was being taken down for salvage. Although its earliest history is obscure, it . . . — — Map (db m282321) HM
On Battle Mountain Avenue (U.S. 385) at Sherman Street, on the right when traveling north on Battle Mountain Avenue.
According to tradition, American Indians were stricken with an epidemic known as “fell disease” about the middle of the 16th century that threatened to obliterate the tribes. A messenger arrived from the Great West with news of a . . . — — Map (db m124081) HM
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance as an
outstanding representation of the development of a
national system of medical and residential benefits
for disabled volunteer veterans. . . . — — Map (db m314498) HM
On University Avenue at 16th Street, on the right when traveling west on University Avenue.
Black Hills College was incorporated December 1, 1887,
under auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church by:
James Williams · F.T. Evans · S.E. Wilson · E.G. Dudley
H.Z. Eaton · A.S. Stewart · W.D. Atwater · E.W. Martin
In 1888, a year . . . — — Map (db m314633) HM
On Fall River Road (U.S. 18) near County Route 79F, on the left when traveling north.
The eight mile long Fall River, winding through Fall River Canyon after the joining of Cold and Hot Brook streams above the city of Hot Springs, tumbles below over an outcropping of sandstone falling about 50 feet to form Fall River Falls, as viewed . . . — — Map (db m184430) HM
On State Highway 71 0.1 miles south of Cascade Trail.
You are Standing in the Middle of a Community Meeting!
This area is the meeting place of three distinct plant communities ~ the ponderosa pine woodland, the mixed grass prairie, and the Cascade warm springs ecosystem. Their boundaries . . . — — Map (db m184457) HM
Battle Mountain Sanitarium
Veterans and politicians began lobbying for a National Home for
Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (NHDVS) at Hot Springs, South Dakota, in
1890. The U.S. Congress authorized funding in 1902, and construction
started . . . — — Map (db m314518) HM
On Fall River Road (U.S. 385) near Hidden Nook Trail, on the right when traveling north.
Tribal tradition states that as long ago as the 16th century the Fall River Valley and canyon area were seldom without groups of tipis belonging to North American Plains Tribes. They knew the curative value of the warm springs located there and used . . . — — Map (db m184455) HM
On U.S. 18 at Memorial Road (County Road 17), on the right when traveling west on U.S. 18.
John S. Robertson (1866-1937) was a pioneer in farming and fruit growing in the Black Hills. His dryland orchard was located about four miles north, at an elevation of 4,200 feet. Born in Ohio in 1866, Robertson homesteaded in Fall River County in . . . — — Map (db m184459) HM
Also known as the age of dinosaurs, the latter
portions of the Mesozoic Era mark the presence
of shallow seas in the Black Hills area. What will
be South Dakota is home to marine reptiles like
plesiosaurs and mosasaurs, ammonites, . . . — — Map (db m314552) HM
On Fall River Road (U.S. 385) near Hill Side Road, on the right when traveling west.
This highway along Fall River is dedicated to Leslie Jensen, 15th Governor of South Dakota 1937-1939, a native of Hot Springs, and a son of Chris Jensen, Black Hills Pioneer and Lillie May Haxby Jensen. Educated in Hot Springs, Culver Military . . . — — Map (db m184428) HM
On Fall River Road (U.S. 385) at Hidden Nook Trail, on the right when traveling south on Fall River Road.
This highway along Fall River is dedicated to Leslie Jensen, 15th Governor of South Dakota 1937-1939, a native of Hot Springs, and a son of Chris Jensen, Black Hills Pioneer and Lillie May Haxby Jensen. Educated in Hot Springs, Culver Military . . . — — Map (db m184450) HM
On Bypass U.S. 18 near South 19th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Gigantic Mammoths, ancestors of the elephants of today, once roamed freely across the High Plains of North America. A repository of their remains, along with other prehistoric animals, lay undisturbed until their discovery over 26,000 years later, . . . — — Map (db m184458) HM
On Hero Avenue at Minnekahta Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Hero Avenue.
The President of the United States
in the name of
The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Congressional Medal of Honor
to
FITZMAURICE, MICHAEL JOHN
Rank and organization: Specialist Four, United States Army, Troop . . . — — Map (db m314454) HM
As you arrive in the age of mammals, the world around you undergoes drastic changes. The late Cretaceous sea is gone and the Black Hills have risen, forming the basis for the modern landscape. The land is covered by rainforests, then savannahs, . . . — — Map (db m314551) HM
On U.S. 18 0.3 miles east of State Highway 89, on the right when traveling east.
Minnekahta once had a section house, school, and a store/gas station. Water
for the steam engines had to be hauled in and pumped out of tank cars into
the water tower because the local water was too hard to use.
The grasses in this area . . . — — Map (db m313139) HM
Moving into the Paleozoic Era, it seems that little
has changed at first. Organisms living in the ocean
covering the Black Hills area at this time are
growing their shells with calcium carbonate. The
presence of calcium carbonate in the . . . — — Map (db m314556) HM
As you move through the Paleozoic Era, life has
emerged and spread onto land. The Black Hills are
still not yet present, and present-day South Dakota
resides near the outer edge of the supercontinent
Pangaea. We find few fossils in the area . . . — — Map (db m314554) HM
In this final leap through time, you find yourself in the Ice Age. Although colder and drier than today, the Black Hills region was not a frozen wasteland. The massive glaciers characteristic of this time do not reach western South Dakota. . . . — — Map (db m314541) HM
You are starting your journey through time in the Precambrian, in a place
that looks wildly different from now.
The igneous rocks seen near what is today Mount Rushmore have been laid
down, but the uplift that formed the Black Hills has yet . . . — — Map (db m314557) HM
On North River Street (U.S. 385) at Minnekahta Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North River Street.
The site of Hot Springs was occupied before white men ever came to the area by tribal peoples for the curative benefits of the mineral springs. The constant 97-98 degree waters became the basis for the thriving resort town. Numerous bathhouses, . . . — — Map (db m124000) HM
You are standing about 140 feet above Wind Cave
near the Methodist Church room, which is along the
Natural Entrance Tour Route. The Garden of Eden
Tour is to your right, past the elevator, and the
Fairgrounds Tour loop is straight ahead. . . . — — Map (db m313120) HM
In honor of those who gave the
ultimate sacrifice in service to
the United States of America and
the families they left behind.
The sacrifice will not be forgotten. — — Map (db m314516) WM
In memory of the men
who offered their lives
in defense of their
country
National Home Disabled
Volunteer Soldiers
Battle Mountain Sanitarium
1914 — — Map (db m314534) WM
On State Highway 71 0.1 miles north of County Road 71D, on the right when traveling north.
Approximately 125 yards east of this spot the Wood Stage Station served as a stop on the Sydney to Deadwood Trail. This station offered the first glimpse of the Black Hills to travelers seeking their fortune in the newly opened gold fields. The . . . — — Map (db m184456) HM
On University Avenue west of 17th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Athletic Field
built by
Hot Springs Ind. School Dist.
and
Works Projects Administration
W.P.A. Project Number 3810
Nineteen Thirty Nine
Harry R. Woodward
Outstanding Father, Grandfather,
Coach, Administrator and . . . — — Map (db m314669) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Minnekahta Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1892 by I.H. Chase, the Bodega became Hot Springs' leading saloon and gambling hall,
offering rare liquors, cigars, and a rumored bordello upstairs. Over the decades, it hosted a
bakery, cafι, grocery, law office, and more. Gutted in . . . — — Map (db m314620) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Minnekahta Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
This building is dedicated to the memory of four
outstanding businessmen and friends of our community
To their spirit, compassion and love of life, we will always remember
Louie Altringer C.M. "Topper" Largent III
Merlyn Godber . . . — — Map (db m314610) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Minnekahta Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1905 for $8,000 by Mrs. Fred T. Evans, the Evanston Block featured Hot Springs'
first "all-glass" storefront and a pressed tin cornice. I.H. Chase opened a store below,
while the upper floor held offices and the Miller Hotel. Over the . . . — — Map (db m314614) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Jennings Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1910, Fargo Mercantile features a distinctive corner entrance, roundel windows, and
ornate stamped metal ceilings. Originally home to Fargo Mercantile Company, the building has
housed various businesses over the years and is now a . . . — — Map (db m314631) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Minnekahta Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1913 to Ford Motor Co. specs, the FJ Oldsmobile Garage served as a premier auto
dealership for Ford, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and GMC. Designed for open floor space and
fireproof durability, it was state-of-the-art for its time. Now . . . — — Map (db m314627) HM
On N. River Street, on the left when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m282322) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Jennings Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
The Hot Springs Theatre blends Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco design, with its stucco
faηade, arched windows, clay-tile side roofs, and ornate elliptical roofline. A highlight is the
pressed-metal ceiling beneath the marquee canopy. Built . . . — — Map (db m314563) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Minnekahta Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1891 from Evans Quarry sandstone, the Minnekahta Block quickly became a hub for
merchants and professionals. The ornate Richardsonian Romanesque design, with intricate
stonework and a corner tower, made it one of Hot Springs' most . . . — — Map (db m314623) HM
On Chicago Avenue (U.S. 385) at Albany Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Chicago Avenue.
Built in 1889 of Marty Quarry sandstone, the Petty Building is the earliest section of the unified
Barnes-Shope block on South Chicago Street. Its rough-faced ashlar, arched windows, and parapet
reflect Hot Springs' first wave of stone . . . — — Map (db m314674) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Jennings Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1906, the Highley Building features one of South Dakota's finest surviving examples of
a stamped-metal faηade. With simulated rock surfaces and a cornice adorned with plant and
animal motifs, the building reflects the early . . . — — Map (db m314579) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385) north of Minnekahta Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Built in 1891, the Union Depot served three major railroads and welcomed Hot Springs' first
trains. After a 1937 flood ended rail service by one line, the city purchased the depot in 1938 -
one of the nation's first railroad-to-public reuse . . . — — Map (db m314607) HM
On River Street (U.S. 385), on the right when traveling south.
This memorial is dedicated to
All Veterans, Past, Present, & Future,
whose sacrifices continue to
protect our freedom.
[Armed Services & POW/MIA Emblems]
[Military related photos] — — Map (db m314560) WM
On Jennings Avenue west of River Street, on the left when traveling west.
This "Brick Memorial" is dedicated to all who
served under the American Flag of the United States.
The ground beneath your feet shall be
"Hallowed Ground".
Dedicated November 11, 2024
[Armed Services Emblems]
[Also . . . — — Map (db m314562) WM
On Ash Street (U.S. 385) at West 6th Street, on the left when traveling north on Ash Street.
The Town of Oelrichs, Dakota Territory, began in 1885. Harry Oelrichs (1856-1902) of New York came in 1882 and bought out several large cattle ranches, totaling 35,000 head of cattle, for the Anglo-American Cattle Company. At this time, . . . — — Map (db m89461) HM
