|
|
||||
|
Click Here For Great Motorcycle Trip Stories Motorcycle Friendly Campgrounds Protect Your Motorcycle From Thieves Highway History And Back Road Mystery
|
Anyone who thinks of Rising
like an island out of the surrounding prairie, the Black Hills cover
approximately 6,000 square miles, about the same as the state of Here
you will find activities to suit every interest, from camping, hiking,
and fishing, to monuments of gigantic proportions, historic Old West
towns, and abundant wildlife. As local tourism slogans proclaim, the The
largest city in the region is
Work
on the colossal carving began in October 4, 1927 and continued off and
on for fourteen years, interrupted by weather, lack of funding, and the
looming onset of World War II. Gutzon Borglum was traveling to
The
total cost was just under one million dollars, 85% of which was paid by
the Federal government, with local businesses, corporations, and private
citizens contributing the balance. During the early days of the project,
Mount Rushmore
is truly gigantic. Each of the four presidential faces measures
approximately 60 feet from the top of the head to the chin. The eyes
measure eleven feet across, the noses 20 to 21 feet long, and the mouths
are eighteen feet across. The faces are scaled to a figure 468 feet
tall. The full sculpture is 468 feet across. Help Honor America's Veterans At www.honoraveteran.com A
crew of almost 400 men and women labored under the often-volatile
Borglund’s direction, drilling, blasting, and chiseling away at the
granite face of the mountain to create the sculpture. Their work was
dangerous and difficult. Hanging on the mountain face in swing seats
suspended from the top, they wrestled heavy equipment and worked in all
kinds of weather, all the while breathing in copious amounts of rock
dust that would lead to serious illnesses for many later in life. Given
the harsh conditions they labored under, it is amazing that no one was
killed during the construction project. There were accidents; the worst
consisting of falls that resulted in broken limbs and ribs.
In
the early days of the project, the workers climbed a wooden stairway of
some 760 steps to get to work every day, carrying their tools with them.
By 1936 a tram had been installed to carry workers and supplies to the
top of the mountain. Many workers did not trust the tram, their fears no
doubt reinforced when an accident in June, 1936
injured five men, and they continued to climb the steps to work
each morning, wearily drudging back down at the end of a long, hard day. The
men chosen to have their likenesses carved into the mountain represent
the first 150 years of American history. Each president immortalized on
the mountain represents an important American virtue or event – George
Washington signifies the struggle for independence and the birth of the
nation; Thomas Jefferson recalls the territorial expansion of the
country; Abraham Lincoln represents the permanent union of the states,
and equality for all of our citizens; and Theodore Roosevelt represents
the 20th Century role of the United States in world affairs
and the rights of the common man. Every
year over three million visitors come to The
National Parks Service Visitor Center includes displays and videos on
the construction of
The
old mining town of If
you enjoy spotting wildlife, take a ride on any of the local back West
of Rapid City and
William
Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok was an Indian fighter, frontier lawman,
and Civil War spy, but by the time he came to Deadwood his career was in
decline. A stint with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show did not work
out, his eyesight was failing, he was haunted by the accidental shooting
of his deputy and best friend while serving as a lawman in A
target for any eager gunslinger hoping to make a name for himself,
Hickok had certain habits that helped him survive in the dangerous days
he lived in. He always drank his beer with his left hand, keeping his
right hand free to draw his gun if needed. He also insisted on sitting
with his back against the wall whenever playing cards, so nobody could
sneak up behind him. On
the evening of August 2, 1876 he joined some friends in a card game at
Deadwood’s Number 10 Saloon. The only open seat put him with his back
to the room, and Wild Bill tried to get someone to switch places with
him, but his pals laughed and told him he was among friends and not to
worry. It was a fatal mistake. While Wild Bill was concentrating on his
card game, a low life named Jack McCall slipped up behind him and shot
him in the back of the head, killing him instantly. In his hand he still
clutched his cards, pairs of black aces and eights, forever after known
as the “deadman’s hand.” McCall was quickly brought to trial,
where he claimed he murdered Hickok because he had killed his brother.
He was acquitted, but then began to brag that he had gotten away with
murder. Further investigation revealed that McCall never even had a
brother for Wild Bill to kill, and McCall was tried again and hung in
Yankton, South Dakota on March 1, 1877.
Another
famous resident of Deadwood was Martha Jane Canary, better known as
Calamity Jane. Much has been written about this cowgirl queen, and
depending on which story you choose to believe, Calamity Jane was either
a heroic or tragic figure. Most reports say she was a hard drinking,
foul talking muleskinner who dressed in men’s clothing, was frequently
drunk and rowdy, and told tall tales that all embellished her
reputation. It
is known that she was married several times, possibly without the
benefit of divorce from one husband before she took on another. During a
smallpox epidemic in Deadwood and the surrounding mining camps, Calamity
Jane devoted herself to caring for the sick miners, and many credited
their survival to her ministrations and called her an angel for the rest
of their days. Jane
claimed that she and Wild Bill Hickok were lovers, but all indications
are that the famous gunfighter considered her a nuisance and an
embarrassment and leave her claims in serious doubt. After she died in
1903, her last wish was carried out and Calamity Jane was buried in
Deadwood’s Over
time the mines played out, a series of fires and floods devastated
Deadwood, and much of what was left consisted of boarded up buildings
and ruins. In 1987 a group called Deadwood You Bet Committee was formed
to work to legalize gambling in Deadwood. Many thought it was a lost
cause, but two years later state laws were changed to make Deadwood the
only town between Today
in Deadwood you can gamble, tour the old hotspots made famous by outlaws
and gunfighters, and experience a bit of the Old West, even though it
may be modernized and have an affect that is more No matter what you are looking for – towering monuments, historical sites, natural beauty, glittering casino fun, or theme parks to entertain kids young and old, alike, it’s all waiting for you in South Dakota’s Black Hills. One visit was not nearly enough for us, and we’ll be back.
Visit Our Biker Mall For Great Books, Apparel, And Riding Gear!
|
|
||
Called
the Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the
showpiece of the 
While
Mount Rushmore is certainly awesome in itself, the 
roads, or drive the unforgettable 70 mile long Peter Norbeck National
Scenic Highway (South Dakota Route 87 and US Highway 16A Loop), where
you can expect to see mountain goats, deer, and free ranging buffalo. 
It
its heyday, Deadwood was a wild place where fortunes were won and lost,
where gunfights were commonplace, and where history was made on an
almost daily basis. Most of the famous personalities of the Old West
either lived in or passed thorough Deadwood at one time or another. It
is said that the infamous Gem Theatre, a saloon, brothel, and gambling
hall operated by the nefarious Al Swearengen, raked in $5,000 a night.