BLACK HILLS PIONEER / SPEARFISH 125th ANNIVERSARY
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September 2013
September 2013
Canyon splendor carries on through time A common response from people who visit Spearfish is, “We had no idea it was so beautiful here.” The surrounding Black Hills National Forest features an abundance of recreational opportunities all year round and it’s not hard to believe that this is one of the rea-
sons so many residents embrace the outdoor lifestyle here. But when it comes to the biggest attraction, it’s Spearfish Canyon. In the summer, it’s not uncommon to see road cyclists touring through Spearfish Canyon, people rock climbing its cliffs, fly-fishing for rainbow, brook, or brown trout in Spearfish Creek, or simply enjoying a relaxing picnic. The scenic byway draws thou-
Pioneer photo by Heather Murschel
sands of people throughout the year, and it’s known as one of the must-see places when the leaves begin to change in the fall. There are also three waterfalls within the canyon, which include Spearfish Falls and Roughlock Falls located near Savoy, and Bridal Veil located along Highway 14A. During the winter months, Bridal Viel Falls transforms into one of the most sought after ice climbing areas in the Black Hills. But, the annual changing of the leaves is one
Photo courtesy of the Leland D. Case Library
of the most prominent events that occur in Spearfish Canyon every year. Each autumn, thousands of visitors flock to Spearfish Canyon to gaze at changing leaves painted in rich green, yellow, and red hues. When it comes to history, nothing compares to Spearfish Canyon. Scientists have estimated the canyon was formed up to 60 million years ago, when water carved out the softer rock, leaving the exposed limestone that create its canyon walls. But, the history is as interesting as the rock formations, as the canyon was a bustling train route from 1883 until 1933 after a sawmill began operations up the canyon from town. The next year, the Burlington and Missouri railroad came through, running a branch line from Deadwood to Lead through the canyon to Spearfish. It survived for nearly 40 years, but was destroyed by floodwaters. While the train was running, it was a popular way to travel. The summer months brought views of blooming flowers, lush greenery and took passengers above Spearfish Falls and below Bridal Veil Falls. When the saw mill closed, Glen Inglis, who was a court reporter in Deadwood, converted the building into a gathering place known to attract some pretty rough personalities. Today, it’s known as the Latchstring Inn, and flourishes as a restaurant that compliments Spearfish Canyon Lodge where thousands flock to for their vacation year after year.
n o s n o i t a l C o ngrat u ! s r a e y t 125 g re a
and enjoy all this beautiful town has to offer!
ONLY 10 MINUTES FROM STURGIS Integrity Ford •
★
I-90 Exit 14 • 3245 Colorado Blvd., Spearfish • 877-642-7731 For online shopping and schedule of events visit www.outdoormotorsports.com
Outdoor Motor Sports
North
Spearfish
I-90 Exit 14 • Wal-Mart Super Center
I-90
Exit 14 Amoco • Colorado Blvd.
T E G
! T U O
Take I-90 West from Sturgis to Exit 14 Spearfish
★ Sturgis
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BLACK HILLS PIONEER / SPEARFISH 125th ANNIVERSARY
Cheers to 125 Years!
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We're bubbling over with excitement for Spearfish's 125 Anniversary!
1 Party Time
LIQUOR Pioneer photo by Josh Larson
D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives The D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives, formerly the Spearfish National Fish Hatchery, was established by the U.S. Fish Commission in 1896 with the intent of introducing and maintaining trout in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The 10-acre hatchery originally served as a production hatchery, and later became the administrative and training facility for numerous national fisheries. Today, the hatchery is a preservation site for artifacts, journals, photographs, and other materials collected from fish hatcheries and wildlife refuges nationwide, as well as a spot for visitors to take in the scenic beauty of the area, feed trout and ducks, and tour the grounds. The D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery has a variety of attractions for visitors, including an underwater viewing area, numerous trout ponds, raceways, and feeding areas, as well as nature trails, overlooks, a gift shop, and an outdoor learning center. Other points of interest are the Booth House, the Hatchery Museum, the Ice House, the Yellowstone Boat and the Fish Car. The Booth House is a two-story house constructed in 1905 by DeWitt Clinton (D.C.) Booth, the first superintendent of the Spearfish Hatchery. The large house was one of the most modern homes in Spearfish at the time it was built, and included luxuries such as hot water radiant heat, an indoor bathroom, and residential electricity. The Booth House was home to other hatchery superintendents and was used until 1983. Today, the house is decorated as it would have been at the time of its construction, and is open during the early summer months for tours. The Hatchery Museum, the oldest building on the grounds, used to house wooden troughs full of incubating fish eggs. Now the museum contains historical exhibits and displays artifacts from fisheries all over the nation. In 1899, the original Ice House was constructed and used to store ice for transporting eggs and fish cross-country. The ice was cut from local ponds during winter and stored for later use. The ice was also
useful in preserving fish food, which, at that time, was comprised mostly of ground meat. Now, a replica Ice House sits on the grounds, housing the National Fish Culture Hall of Fame, which honors people who have contributed to the field of aquaculture. The Yellowstone Boat dry docked near the fishery raceways was originally used during the early 1900s when D.C. Booth and hatchery crews would travel to Yellowstone Lake to collect cutthroat trout and eggs for distribution at hatcheries nationwide. The Yellowstone Boat is one of the original boats used in Yellowstone National Park during the late 1920s. The U.S. Fish Commission originally used railroad cars to transport fish cross-country. The Fish Car is a replica of one of the first railroad cars, which housed comfortably a crew of five people as they delivered fish to hatcheries, rivers, and lakes. The Fish Car mimics a circa 1910 passenger railroad car, which follows the design of the original Fish Car No. 3. The cars were used from about 1873 to 1947, at which time they became less efficient and more costly to operate, due largely to the expansion and development of roads and highway systems. The car is open to the public for touring. The archives in hatchery collect, preserve, a protect fisheries records and artifacts for educational research and historical purposes. Additionally, they provide interpretive and educational programs for visitors. Currently, about 15,000 objects and 160,000 pieces of irreplaceable archival material, including photographs, architectural drawings, blueprints, journals, uniform badges, flags, fishing equipment, fish encased in antique jars, a silver spoon engraved with a drawing of the hatchery, an embossed saltshaker impressed with the “U.S. Fisheries, Spearfish, S.D.” logo, and more. The items are housed in a 10,000-square foot, climate-controlled storage facility. Objects and documents are preserved by professional curators and archivists. The archives are one of two in the nation.
731 N. 12th Street, I-90 Exit 12, O'Neill Plaza, Spearfish
605-642-4700 • FIND US ON FACEBOOK!
Mon-Thurs: 9am-10pm • Fri & Sat: 9am-Midnight • Sun: 11am-7pm
Dana D ental arts Michael R. Dana, DDS, PC A General and Cosmetic Practice
“Let our family care for your family” The Dana Family Celebrates 125 Years of Spearfish History Proudly serving Spearfish since 1974 Dr. Mick, Dr. Nicole, Dr. Monique and Dr. Bradly
A Beautiful Smile is Always in Style www.danadentalarts.com
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,
Spearfish!
Black Hills Dance Centre is proud to be a part of Spearfish history for the past 30 years.
Directors Andrea Parker & Andrea Chase 628 1/2 Main St., Spearfish • www.blackhillsdancecentre.com • 642-8866