2023 Welcome to Belle Fourche

19026 US Highway 85, Belle Fourche 605-892-3603 • 800-611-8796

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As the only locally owned & operated daily newspaper in Western South Dakota, the Black Hills Pioneer has told the story of the Northern Hills since 1876. For 14 years, we have touted the many strengths and potentials of Belle Fourche through this publication. From seasonal events like the award-winning Black HIlls Roundup to year-round opportunities, Belle Fourche offers a wealth of amenities. Belle Fourche has deep roots in agriculture and commerce, while still offering a favorable business climate, wrapped in a friendly, home-town atmosphere. Whether you’re here for a visit, looking for a place to raise your family, or thinking about starting a new business, Belle Fourche is calling you home.

When visitors arrive in Belle Fourche, they are welcomed with open arms and invited to immerse themselves in the cowboy lore and all of the Wild West history area residents have come to embrace.

This gateway to the Northern Hills has so much to offer, while still providing a hometown atmosphere and an enriching way of life. Whether it’s taking in a rodeo, perusing a museum, shopping at all of the unique downtown shops, or enjoying a nice meal — there is truly something for everyone.

Belle Fourche, which translates from French into “beautiful fork” is nestled between the Redwater and Belle Fourche rivers and surrounded by Hay Creek. One of its claims to fame is the Black Hills Roundup, one of the oldest outdoor

rodeos in the country, celebrating its 104th anniversary. Known as the greatest show on dirt, the rodeo started 1918 and now, more than a century later, the event still draws thousands of visitors to the community every year surrounding the Fourth of July.

The other is the fact that Belle Fourche is truly the geographical center of the nation. A beautiful monument was constructed at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center to highlight the fact and provide an experience for visitors. The breadth of history that Belle Fourche is known for, is something to experience.

It all began when some of the area’s first settlers found the area to be

profitable in the fur trade, and soon it became a rendezvous point. Then, during the Black Hills gold rush in 1876, treasure seekers quickly realized that the fertile valleys around Belle Fourche provided land for farmers and ranchers to prosper. When the cattle business picked up across the United States, a stage line was constructed between Medora, N.D., and Deadwood in 1884, and a weigh station was built on a ranch owned by Sol Star and Seth Bullock. A few years later, news of a possible freight stop in the area and in 1890 a railroad terminal was built where the Belle Fourche Livestock Auction sits today.

Where The Cowboys Shop

THE NATION CENTER Monument

South Dakota sits front and center in the United States, geographically, and Belle Fourche holds the distinction as being the center of the nation since it is the closest community to the geographic point.

The geographical center of the landmass of the United States moved on Aug. 21, 1959, the day that Hawaii became the 50th state, and on Aug. 21, 2007, the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce and the Center of the Nation Planning Committee marked the spot by dedicating a new monument next to the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center. Made from South Dakota granite, the 21-by-40 foot compass rose marks Belle Fourche as the geographic center

of the nation, with a 12-inch bronze marker from the National Geodetic Survey verifying the location.

“We work hard to make sure all our visitors have an enjoyable and memorable experience while they are here,” Kristi Thielen, the director of the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center, said. “We maintain gardens and container plantings and have a newly refurbished fountain to make the exterior of the facility look attractive. Our visitor information is always kept up to date, and we have a touchscreen with visitor info, as well. And we always have interesting discovery boxes and activity tables for children and families.”

dedicated in the summer of 2009.

Amende wrote the following in a brief article about the monument: Located at latitude 44 degrees 58’N, longitude 103 degrees 46’ W, which is approximately 20 miles north of Belle Fourche, the center of the nation is actually in the middle of private property.

Kristi Thielen

Museum and Visitor Center Director

While visitors can visit the flagpole located there, the landowner does not want to develop the property, so the monument is located in Belle Fourche.

featuring all 50 state flags — arranged in the order the states joined the union — as well as the national flags of the United States and Canada.

In 2022, approximately 17,576 people visited the monument and museum, which is twice as many as in 2020, but about 4,000 fewer than in 2021.

“We are now stabilizing to where we were in 2019. I would expect us to start moving up again, incrementally, as we had been since 2011,” said Kristi Thielen, Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center director.

TO DRIVE TO THE ACTUAL GEOGRAPHIC CENTER OF THE NATION (50 STATES):

• From the intersection of Hwy. 85 and 212, drive 13 miles north on Hwy. 85.

• Turn left onto Old Hwy. 85 and drive 7.8 miles, until you see a barn on your left hand side.

• On the right side of the road you will see a US flag flying freely in the pasture. At this location you will see the survey marker in the ground highlighting the “Center of the Nation”

The monument was designed by local artist and musician Monte Amende and constructed by local contractors. The monument was unveiled and officially

The monument features an engraved courtyard, picnic area, and the trailhead for the Belle Fourche River Walk, which also sports an 18-hole disc golf course.

An avenue of flags rims the monument,

Tri-State

“We work hard to make sure all our visitors have an enjoyable and memorable experience while they are here.”

DOCUMENTING THE RICH Local History

The Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center is certainly a must see for anyone visiting or relocating to Belle Fourche.

Since 1955, the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center has collected historical materials from the early settlement of the tri-state area, including the corners of South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.

The objective of the museum is to tell the stories of the early pioneers and those who followed them, and to preserve that legacy for future generations.

The museum houses a unique collection that attracts thousands of visitors every year seeking to learn more about the history of Belle Fourche and the tri-state region.

The non-profit museum opened in 1955 after Mrs. Roy Williams, of Hammond, Mont., donated $1,000 and a western collection started by her late husband. To accommodate this collection, local businesses and interested parties grouped together to create the historical center.

In 2004, the museum opened in its current location at 415 Fifth Ave., in Belle Fourche.

The museum foundation is currently involved in a capital campaign to raise funds for an addition that would include an all-purpose gallery to be used for events including gallery showings, hands-on education for children, office space, and research center.

As visitors enter the museum, the first display to greet them is the “Early Cattle Companies.” At one time Belle Fourche was the largest shipping point of range cattle in the world. Many of the cowboys of the area rode with Seth Bullock’s cowboys to the 1905 inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt.

The Black Hills Roundup and Rodeo, now in its 104th year, plays a large part in the history of this area. The Roundup began in 1918 as a benefit for the Red Cross during World War I, bringing $20,000 for the war effort. During the Roundup rodeo, the challenge of riding Tipperary, the legendary bucking horse, set the momentum, and the rodeo became an annual Fourth of July celebration, which continues to this day, attracting overflow crowds from around the world.

In the museum, visitors will find the story of the Great Butte County Bank Robbery featuring the Sundance Kid and the Hole-inthe-Wall Gang.

A military section with uniforms and memorabilia from the Civil War through the Vietnam War includes the story of Don Smith, a local hero who was part of the Doolittle Raiders during World War II. Guns, local industry, a pioneer home complete with fashions and furnishings, a mercantile, and the history of the railroad round out the main collections of the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center.

Located next to the museum is the “Buckskin” Johnny Spaulding Cabin. Spaulding was an avid hunter, scout, and guide. The two-story cabin, which originally stood at the lower Redwater River just south of Belle Fourche, was built from hand-hewn logs hauled from the surrounding hills. After building the cabin, Spaulding invited his sister, brother-in-law, and their six children to move to the area. For two years they lived together in his cabin, now equipped with

furnishings and artifacts that reveal insights into the modest lifestyles of the era.

In 1960, the W.A. Helmer family donated the cabin to the museum, and the Belle Fourche Lions Club provided renovations. In 2006, it was moved to its present location near the banks of the Belle Fourche River and steps away from the Center of the Nation Monument. Museum and Visitor Center Director Kristi Thielen said that visitors often say that the Johnny Spaulding Cabin is the highlight of their stop in Belle Fourche.

“It has a charm that’s especially unique and the story of Buckskin Johnny and the girl he left behind is a touching one. Tourists, especially those from outside the western states, really respond to it,” Thielen said.

All mini-exhibits, temporary exhibits, First Saturday Brunches and Family Fun Days for 2023 have been planned and information about them is available online at thetristatemuseum.com.

Thielen said that the museum made

changes to several exhibits in 2022.

“The museum has added some new artifacts to both the rodeo exhibit and the mercantile.

The medical exhibit is now easier to visit as the doctor’s buggy, which previously masked the exhibit, has been moved to the lobby of City Hall. The museum staff now decorates this buggy seasonally,” said Thielen.

For the rodeo exhibit, the museum has added Tipperary, a nearly full-size horse statue that is painted to look like the famed rodeo horse. Thielen said these changes enabled museum staff to increase to the “saddle up” station for kids.

The tipi, which was installed outside the eastern end of the complex in 2022 will be back and open for visitation in the summer.

Thielen said there will also be signage to provide more information about the significance of the tipi and the history of that specific one.

Thielen also said that the museum’s store has grown. The merchandise now includes

a wider selection of stuffed animals, smart toys, science kits, art supplies, puzzles, and games. It also carries several murder mystery and escape room games for adults, as well as an expanded list of books that relate to western history. Perhaps the most exciting news related to the museum is its plans for expansion.

Thielen said the museum has needed additional space for many years now, and in 2023 city officials are taking the first steps to create a concrete plan for the 3,500 square foot addition.

Thielen expects a master plan to be drawn up in the late spring, and a date for breaking ground will be dependent on those plans.

“If we could break ground by late 2023, we’d be delighted,” said Thielen.

For more information, visit the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center at 415 Fifth Ave., in Belle Fourche or call (605) 723-1200.

TRI-STATE MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTER

Memorial Day – Labor Day: Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday: 1–4 p.m.

Labor Day–Memorial Day: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Closed Sunday & Monday

Admission is free WWW.THETRISTATEMUSEUM.COM

Group tours available. Check out our website for events, exhibits, and more!

GATEWAY TO THE Northern Black Hills

The area now known as Belle Fourche was inhabited long before a name or township was ever established. The name Belle Fourche (pronounced Bell Foosh) came when France held the claim on the area, and French explorers found the meeting point between the Redwater River and Hay Creek — Belle Fourche translates to “beautiful fork.”

Many beaver trappers found the area to be profitable in the fur trade, making Belle Fourche a rendezvous point during the 1800s for trappers and traders.

After the Black Hills gold rush in 1876 brought treasure seekers of all sorts to the area, the fertile valleys around Belle Fourche provided land for farmers and ranchers to prosper, as they had ample customers at the mines in need of food and work animals.

The plains throughout the United States, and even those beyond its borders, were filling with cattle, and service areas and towns began to appear to meet the needs of the cattle business. The stage line between Medora, N.D., and Deadwood was established in 1884, and a way station, known as De Mores, which included a stage

barn and a saloon, was built on the SB Ranch owned by Sol Star and Seth Bullock. After only a few stage runs, however, the stop proved unprofitable, and the stagecoach no longer took the route that included De Mores. While the saloon remained open, it wasn’t until the railroad came along that Belle Fourche really made a mark on the map.

Everyone in the area knew that the Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroads, under pressure from the cattle barons, would soon need a freight stop in the area for herds before shipment to packing plants in the Midwest. Though the town of Minnesela, near Belle Fourche and more developed at the time, was the favored choice of location by the railroad, a spectator purchased Minnesela’s right-ofway and demanded a high price for the land the railroad wanted. Seth Bullock, having acquired land along the Belle Fourche River since his arrival in Deadwood in 1876, appraised the situation and decided to offer the railroad free right-of-way across his land, in addition to offering to build a terminal if the railroad would locate it on his land. His business partner, Sol Star, sent word to the railroad that he would not approve any deal Bullock promised unless the railroad also built into Deadwood. The railroad officials recognized a deal when they saw one and agreed to the terms. Following the agreement, the railroad terminal was built in 1890, where the present Belle Fourche Livestock Auction sits. Seth Bullock supposedly requested the town name after the last rail was hammered into place.

The town was born, lots were sold, and the first train-load of cattle departed from Belle Fourche in 1890. Free lots in town were offered to businesses moving from Minnesela, and while there was some bad feeling in the past between the two, many businesses did move to the thriving town.

The early days of Belle Fourche revolved around the cattle business, and known as a “cow town,” Belle Fourche catered to cowboys and cattlemen. The town’s original main street, nicknamed Saloon Street — now Fifth Avenue quickly filled with businesses which included several saloons, restaurants, clothing and grocery stores, a hotel, and Star and Bullock’s hardware and furniture store.

After losing the railroad depot, the community of Minnesela also lost the Butte County seat to Belle Fourche. In 1894, an election was held and, supposedly, hundreds of voters were “imported” to ensure the outcome in Belle Fourche’s favor. Seth Bullock once again intervened on behalf of Belle Fourche, raising $2,000 to build a two-story building for a courthouse once the county seat transferred. In elated jubilation once

the vote passed, a few overzealous citizens of Belle Fourche rode into Minnesela and stole the county books — though the transfer would not take place until the first of the new year.

Growing from a rendezvous point for trappers to the county seat, Belle Fourche was on its way to establishing itself as an important community in the area.

Just five years after the first trainload of cattle left its depot, Belle Fourche shipped 2,500 carloads per month in 1895s peak season, becoming the world’s largest livestock shipping point. Belle Fourche was no longer a simple stage stop; it was, and still is, an agricultural center for the region.

When a fire in 1895 destroyed most of the business district, it was almost completely rebuilt within three months. Many structures were moved from Minnesela; unfortunately, without a railroad, Minnesela slowly diminished and is now considered a ghost town. However, many of the buildings in Belle Fourche’s present downtown business district remain from the rebuilding after the fire in 1895.

Belle Fourche made headlines again in 1897, when a member of the Hole-in-the-Wall gang — the Sundance Kid — attempted to rob the Butte County Bank.

Belle Fourche is also home to one of the oldest outdoor rodeos — the Black Hills Roundup, which started in 1918. Originally raising funds for the Red Cross during World War I and named the “Tri-State Roundup,” the Black Hills Roundup drew 15,000 spectators to Belle Fourche its first year, even though the population of the town at that time was under 1,500 and there were no roads, and few cars to speak of in the area. The Roundup started on the Fourth of July and raised nearly $20,000 for the war effort. Though the war ended the year after, the popularity of the rodeo made it an annual event that continues each July.

Belle Fourche continues to serve as a large trade area for wool, cattle, and bentonite industries which have been instrumental in the growth of the town. Serving as the “Gateway to the Northern Black Hills,” Belle Fourche describes the intersection of waterways, the intersection of history, of commerce, and of community — which makes it a mark on the area, and on the state.

SOL STAR AND SETH BULLOCK AT THE BELLE FOURCE RIVER PHOTO COURTESY OF TRI-STATE MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTER

Friendly Downtown BELLE FOURCHE

The growing community of Belle Fourche has a diverse downtown scene. More than 50 businesses line the streets that comprise the downtown area. Whether you’re in the mood to shop for clothing, antiques, do your banking or just grab a bite to eat, the proprietors who do business downtown can assist in your needs.

Several community events are scheduled throughout the year, including Riverside with

Hometown Thursdays, an 8-week long festival including live music, kids activities, vendors and more.

Many of the stores are in historic structures

— a tribute to Belle Fourche when it was a fledgling community that was built off the back of the livestock industry. Some of those buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.

But beyond the heart of the city, Belle

Fourche hosts stores that offer agricultural supplies, automotive parts and repairs, laundry services, a 12-lane bowling alley, a nine-hole golf course, dining and more — everything residents and visitors need. No matter what you are shopping for and no matter where you go in Belle Fourche you are guaranteed to find great stores with friendly customer service.

Cheryl Westland, Owner

600 State St., Belle Fourche, SD 605-723-5920

Hours: Monday-Friday 8am 6pm

Saturday 8am - 1pm

Closed

LASTINGLegacies BRONZE

Some of the best rodeo performers in the annals of Belle Fourche history have been immortalized in bronze by sculptor Tony Chytka, allowing visitors to downtown Belle Fourche a chance to see the town’s “Lasting Legacies” while simultaneously gazing into the region’s Old West past.

Sculptor T.R. “Tony” Chytka is a rural South Dakota native, a rancher, and a former champion bull rider whose art reflects his own life experience. A Chytka bronze is an entirely hand-made piece — from the clay model, to the bronze final castings and patina work — Chytka molds and creates the entire package.

Visitors coming from the south on Highway 85 will receive a welcoming site in Chytka’s tall figure of a cowboy “breakin’ his bronc,” located at the intersection of 5th Avenue and National Street. The sculpture is six-feet tall, composed of bronze, and has come to be

SCULPTURES

known as one of the “Lasting Legacies” that embody the heritage of this Western town. This salutary cowboy embodies the stamina of the original wrangler as he prepares his horse for adventures out on the prairie.

The horse, known as Tipperary, is a legend himself. He’s credited with dumping more than 80 riders before famous rodeo rider, actor, and stuntman Yakima Canutt tackled the first successful ride on the bronc in 1920.

Canutt rode the horse a second time at the Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche in 1921.

Another figure stands on the corner of State Street and 5th Avenue, where Chytka has sculpted modern-day buffalo trainer and Belle Fourche native Jerry Wayne Olson sitting on his buffalo, Chief. Olson performed for many years as an equine entertainer at rodeos and western events across the nation — but he’s also known for his time with that buffalo, Chief, and has even been known to ride on

the back of the giant animal. He is the third generation of a family of rodeo entertainers, with one of the most amazing trick roping and horse shows in the area.

Walk several blocks down State Street and see a pair of famous brothers — the Garrett brothers were top professional rodeo contestants who hail from the Belle Fourche area. The likeness of Marvin Garrett is found on the northwest side of the corner of State Street and 6th Avenue, while Mark Garrett is on the southeast corner of the same intersection. Marvin was a four-time National Finals World Bareback champion and has been inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Mark was National Finals World Bareback Champion in 1996 and has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Numerous other statues can be found along the River Walk and at the Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center, including The Peace Memorial statue and the Overpeck Family Memorial statue.

These sculptures of Belle Fourche’s own legends serve as a nod to the “Lasting Legacies” that comprise so much of this town’s storied past.

#1-9: 8th/State St. bridge to 5th Ave. bridge below City Hall and Museum along river

#9-24: 5th Ave. bridge west along river then loop south to 1st Ave.

#25-33: Round Up Grounds along river behind ball fields across foot bridge to 5th Ave. & Jackson St.

#34-39: 6th Ave. and Jackson St. to 8th Ave. south past Police Station to National St. underpass

#39-43: National St. underpass along Hay Creek to 7th Ave.

#44-50: 7th Ave. to Hwy 85 Hay Creek bridge

#50-52: Under Hwy 85 Hay Creek bridge to Dairy Queen

#53-55: Hwy 85 Hay Creek north to Meadow Lark Apt driveway

RIVER WALK LEADS VISITORS ON City Park Tour

Visitors to Belle Fourche can get out, bask in the weather, and enjoy scenery along the River Walk, a five-mile paved path that highlights the outdoor beauty of the city and the forked rivers that Belle Fourche was named after.

A project that began more than 20 years ago, the River Walk has been gradually constructed during the past decade. It features a pedestrian/bike path section and an adjoining sidewalk and urban street section that intersect, converge, and wind through the city.

Sections of the River Walk wind along the banks of both the Redwater River and Hay Creek, and there are several resting points along the concrete path, including benches, water fountains, and restroom facilities. The River Walk is fully signed with large maps posted

along the route that point out the various parks and attractions.

There is a picnic area near of the Center of the Nation Avenue of Flags, an 18-hole disc golf course just west of the Tri-State Museum, and a loop section around Herrmann Park.

In 2022, the ice skating rink was moved from Highland Park to the TriState Museum and Visitor Center’s lawn.

Jones Park receives considerable walking traffic, and the basketball and tennis courts make it a common target for younger crowds in the community; plus, there’s a splash pad.

At Thomas C. Gay Park on the north end of town, the city retrofitted old tennis courts into pickleball courts. They also installed new playground equipment in 2022.

Herrmann Park is best for family gatherings and the like, with its picnic areas, band shelter and open, manicured lawns that sit underneath abundant giant cottonwood trees.

ROCKY POINT RECREATION AREA at Belle Fourche Reservoir

BELLE FOURCHE RESERVOIR

LOCATION

8 miles east of Belle Fourche off Hwy 212

GPS COORDINATES

Lat: 44.709235

Long: -103.71254

AVAILABILITY

Open year round. Primitive camping available. Campsites available up to 90 days prior to arrival.

62 camp sites. 3 ADA accessible.

HISTORY

The 8,000-acre Belle Fourche Reservoir was created in 1911, when Orman Dam was constructed to store water for agricultural use. At the time of its completion, Orman Dam was the largest earthen dam in the world. In 1989, Orman Dam was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

FISHING

The Belle Fourche Reservoir has an average depth of 25 feet with areas as deep as 60 feet when full. The reservoir is a high density walleye fishery with several other species, such as channel catfish, yellow perch, black crappie, smallmouth bass, white bass, and tigermuskie.

Anglers fishing for walleye often report high catch rates all year long with a good launching spot at Rocky Point Recreation Area and soon at Gadens Point Fishing license required.

ROCKY POINT RECREATION AREA FACILITIES

57 Electrical Campsites; 3 Camping Cabins; 5 Group Camping Sites; Comfort Station (Showers and Flush Toilets); Dump Station; 3 Boat Ramps; Fish Cleaning Station; Paved Roads; Picnic Shelters; Playground; Archery Range; Horseshoe Pits; Drinking Water; Game Checkout; Beach Area; Volleyball Area

Handcut

PARK ENTRANCE LICENSE

REQUIRED YEAR ROUND

Daily License: $8 per vehicle

Annual: $36 first vehicle, $18 for second $80 transferable license

CAMPING & FEES

$22 non-electrical site per night

$26 electrical site per night

Camping cabins $55 per night 62 camp sites. 3 ADA accessible

CONTACT INFORMATION

Rocky Point Recreation Area 18513 Fisherman’s Road Belle Fourche, SD 57717 605-641-0023

RockyPoint@state.sd.us

RESERVATIONS

(800) 710-CAMP (2267) or gooutdoorssouthdakota.com

Up to 90 days prior to arrival

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks park.infoestate.sd.us, 605-223-7660 #SDInTheField

BELLE FOURCHE: HOME TO

Hunting and Fishing

The thousands of acres of ranchland and public lands around Belle Fourche are not only home to cattle and sheep, but they are also home to a diverse crop

hunting. From whitetails and mule deer and antelope to upland game birds and waterfowl, hunters have plenty of animals to pursue.

Antelope offer hunters opportunities to hunt the fastest mammal in North America. Each year, when the West River deer season opens — traditionally in mid-November — hunters head to the nearby ranches and walk-in areas in hopes of taking one of the large mulies or whitetails that feed in the alfalfa fields or sagebrush draws. Butte County is home to some of the largest mule deer in the country with the No. 8 ranked mule deer killed in 2008 and one of the largest deer killed in South Dakota with a muzzleloader a few years later.

While the majority of hunters chasing deer around Butte County are seeking a large mule deer, the whitetail population is still high and large bucks can be frequently found.

While South Dakota’s central and eastern counties are home to the heart of pheasant country, a hearty population of pheasants

call Butte County home. The birds can be found in the same type of areas as they would in prime pheasant habitat — near corn, in cattails, in tree rows, and in alfalfa fields. Sharptail grouse can also be hunted.

Large turkey populations also give hunters a chance at providing the bird for a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. At many of the area lakes and stock ponds waterfowl can be abundant. The numbers of birds are not nearly what hunters can find along the Missouri River or in the eastern part of the state, but success can be found especially in creeks that remain open long after the flat water freezes over. Belle Fourche is home to one of the largest bodies of water in the state — the Belle Fourche Reservoir. Fishermen use the shores, their boats, and the ice to bring home their daily catch of walleye and other fish. When the walleye spawn, the dam becomes alive with fishermen trying to catch the big one. Catfish and bass can also be found in the large body of water that has filled to near capacity in recent years after nearly a decade of drought. Other nearby lakes and ponds, in addition to the Redwater River, are home to prime fishing as well.

AGRICULTURE A

Agriculture is South Dakota’s number one industry and in Butte County, it’s a way of life.

“It’s handed down from generation to generation around here,” said TJ Swan, formerly with the Butte County Cooperative Extension Service. “If you’ve got the land to do it and the gumption to fight the markets, it’s just what you do.”

“South Dakota has always been and will continue to be an agricultural state,” said Bill Evan, with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. He noted that the economic impact of agriculture in South Dakota exceeds $20.9 billion and employs more than 173,000 people, directly and indirectly.

According to an agricultural census, there are a total of 659 farms in Butte County, making up a total of approximately 1.2 million acres. Of that, a total amount of 163,375 acres is used for cropland.

The largest agriculture operations are mostly cattle production and farming.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Butte County inventoried 68,000 head of cattle in 2022.

And, he said, because of the open prairie land, it makes for excellent crop production, which in turn, provides feed for cattle producers.

“When the rains are heavy in the spring around here, it can make for a healthy amount of forage for cattle,” Swan said.

“Western wheatgrass is one of the best forage for cattle and we certainly have a lot of that around here.”

Corn is among the most produced crop in Butte County; alfalfa and soybean production come in right after.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Butte County ranks number one in sheep production, with at least 42,000 head. Statewide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports there are approximately

235,000 head of sheep and approximately 5.2 million head nationwide.

And when it comes time for ranchers to earn their payday for the year, they ship their livestock to auctions. Both the Belle Fourche Livestock Auction and St. Onge Livestock Auction are major players for selling cattle.

The Belle Fourche Livestock Auction was originally built in 1935, with a rich history and a staple for economic development in Butte County.

The stockyards exist because one man had a vision of building a town around a railroad. Though the train system is no longer utilized to transport the cattle, the location of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad was the reason it exists.

According to history records, the Belle Fourche area was first settled in 1876 after gold was discovered in the Black Hills. Shortly thereafter, Seth Bullock came to the Black Hills and settled around the Belle Fourche River. Bullock, a frontier marshal and rancher, offered a free right of way and offered to build the terminal to the proposed railroad company looking to build a new rail system through the Black Hills. That location at the Old Middle Creek shipping yards is where the present day Belle Fourche Livestock Auction

sits. By 1895, Belle Fourche was shipping 2,500 carloads of cattle east every month during the busy seasons, making it the world’s largest livestock shipping point at that time. Most of the cattle were shipped to markets in Chicago and Omaha, Neb.

To the south is St. Onge Livestock. Since 1981, the facility has been home to the beef, sheep, and goat auction market.

Just to the northeast, in Newell, thousands of sheep are sold at the St. Onge Livestock’s sheep yards.

Just like cattle, sheep has long been raised on the grassland around Belle Fourche. While the sheep yards serve as the sale point for the live animals, their shorn wool is run through another Belle Fourche company.

Center of the Nation Wool, Inc., markets between 4.5-5 million pounds of wool per year. Considering the ideal sheep rearing conditions the region provides, the future looks bright for the wool-marketing corporation.

Larry Prager, CEO and general manager since 1993, said that South Dakota was settled and homesteaded with sheep, and the producer-owned wool corporation has been an integral part of that history since the development of the area.

The corporation serves a diverse group of 1,500 producers from South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Nebraska and runs the gamut from people with a few sheep in their backyard to the large production sheep ranches.

“We handle some of the highest quality wool in the United States,” he said. “We have better color, higher yielding, and really a tradition of quality wool in Belle Fourche.”

Since the start of COVID-19, Center of the Nation Wool, Inc. has experienced some of the affects of international delays. These complications drove the company to build a 10,500 square feet addition, which was completed in the summer of 2022 for around $600,000.

The addition is mainly used for inventory and can store up to 1.5 million pounds of wool. Prager said it has also helped with storage during their busiest season — spring. “We can sell wool a lot faster than we can deliver it to our customers. In the springtime, it’s probably coming in twice as fast,” said Prager. “We’ve been leasing storage here in Belle Fourche for quite a while, like the old airplane hanger for the past three years. The warehouse is an investment.”

OWES ITS START TO THE Railroad Belle Fourche

In 1890, the railroad had been built west to a point that is now Belle Fourche. On Sept. 16 of that year, the first load of cattle was shipped by railcar to eastern states. Over the next two months nearly 1,300 railcars of cattle were transported to markets. The first rail station in the cowtown was completed in December 1890.

The success of the railroad then brought about the platting of Belle Fourche in the spring of 1891 and land parcels were sold starting in June of that year. The railroad made it possible for the region’s agricultural industry to have easy access to a highly efficient means of delivery for its products to market.

In 1892, nearly 4,000 railcars of cattle were being shipped from Belle Fourche. By 1895,

that number had soared to 2,500 railcars of cattle per month, making Belle Fourche the largest shipper of cattle in the world. Over the decades the railroad has shipped numerous agricultural commodities from Belle Fourche including wool, grain, flour, and numerous other items for the industry. The rails now reach to Colony, Wyo., where the railcars carry bentonite, a mined substance used in a wide variety of products from kitty litter to cosmetics.

In 2016, the addition of a half-mile-long siding track at the industrial rail park made it easier for businesses to load and unload products including a new switch, which will allow for additional track construction in the future.

A base of rail business has been established

PENNY COLLECTORS Rejoice!

Now you can get a collectible penny token during your visit to the western town of Belle Fourche — and they’re available exclusively at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center, located at 415 5th Ave.

For collectors of all ages, penny tokens are a fun and inexpensive way to commemorate your trip to Belle Fourche with three unique designs: the Black Hills Roundup Rodeo, the Tri-State Museum, and the Center of the Nation Monument.

All you do is put in your penny plus two quarters, crank the rollers and watch as your token is made right before your very eyes! They also have passport books

available to keep your tokens organized.

Elongated tokens have been around since the 1892-93 World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, Ill. They have become quite a specialized collectible with some people focusing on anything from travel themed tokens, Christmas tokens, political tokens or even everything produced by one specific roller.

No matter what your level of interest, you’re sure to have fun getting your one-of-a-kind penny token from the Center of the Nation! Belle Fourche, among other machine locations, can be found at www.pennycollector. com.

and is growing, thus the rail expansion in 2021-2022. The $2.4 million expansion will be operational in April 2023, allowing for up to 90 rail cars at the siding and more offloading space to better serve the customers.

In 2022, Albany Farms purchased a facility, which formerly housed the PermianLide Tank & Manufacturing plant, and the 15 acres surrounding the location in the 79-acres of the Belle Fourche Industrial & Rail Park. The ramen noodle plant became operational later that same year.

The company currently has 105 employees at the Belle Fourche plant, and hopes to hire between 300-500 employees.

Twisted Noodles can be found locally in Belle Fourche at Lueder’s Food Center, Lynn’s Dakotamart, and MJ’s Market.

Penny Pincher souvenir coins

BUILDING COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Belle Fourche: together &

Community development, building relationships, and nurturing partnerships with new businesses and those who wish to expand, epitomize the driving forces behind what the Belle Fourche Development Corporation (BFDC) is working to accomplish in 2023.

The Belle Fourche Industrial & Rail Park was completed in September 2013. The addition of over 2,600 feet of track siding for offloading in 2016 expanded the park’s capabilities. A base of rail business has been established and is growing, thus the rail expansion developed and completed in 2022. The $2 million expansion allows for up to 75 rail cars at the siding with more offloading space to better serve the customers.

“Working with our current rail customers and our prospects to further develop rail business and industry for Belle Fourche and the region is a top priority,” said Hollie Stalder, BFDC executive director. “Local and out-of-area customers utilizing the rail siding will see improved access in 2023.”

The park’s economic impact is significant given that this is the only rail siding site of its kind in western South Dakota with a site ready industrial park at its side. With on- and offloading opportunities available to key customers, transportation savings can be realized immediately.

The development of rail facilities of its kind also relieves some of the burden on highway and interstate system as one rail car can transfer goods equivalent to three to five semi truckloads.

“Belle Fourche is a community with strong leadership and alliances to help make the development process seamless,” Stalder said. “BFDC, the city, the county, the school, and business leaders within, help lead the way and tie it all together. An important component of what economic development is focused on, is aligning with companies to build community.”

Over the past eight years, more than 90 businesses opened, relocated to Belle Fourche or completed an expansion of their existing business.

“We are so pleased with the positive growth,” said Stalder.

“Here in Belle, we work closely with the school for workforce development,” she continued. “With the 2018 expansion and new facility for the Belle Fourche Career and Technical Education Center (CTE), we have been amping up ways we can help the students to partner with employers in the region and take up those opportunities.”

The Belle Fourche School District opened the 21,000-square-foot CTE center in September of 2018.

The 100-by-100-foot building serves the local needs for educating high school students in numerous industries including welding, family and consumer science, accounting, hospitality, and agriculture, and includes an area for an expanded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curriculum. The new building offers high school students, who elect to take CTE courses, better opportunities to do so, in a more modern facility. It recently received $250,000 in grants to purchase equipment that will allow eligible students to obtain a commercial driver’s license.

Businesses looking at Belle Fourche for relocation will be able to capitalize on a number of items.

“We are the center of the nation, and the crossroads that are part of that,” Stalder said.

“Highway 85 experiences over 16,000 vehicles a day through the main corridor of town between Highway 34 on the south end and 212 on the north end — making connections in any direction very accessible. Our close proximity to Interstate 90 adds to the appeal.”

Stalder said the development corporation’s emphasis on housing initiatives is producing steady results. BFDC formed a partnership with NeighborWorks Dakota Homes Resources in the fall of 2014. This partnership is focused on assisting those working in Belle Fourche to be able to consider home ownership. In the past

eight years, the partnered organizations helped more than 100 community members either move toward home ownership or to reinvest in their current homes.

The Leadership Belle Fourche class, created in 2017, is designed to help develop and empower leaders for community. The fruits of those labors produced six classes of leaders to date who are really on fire for the community. A strong percentage of those class members are serving in key leadership roles in our community, from city council to economic development and chamber boards as well as other organizations in the community. Of the 60 graduates, several have joined teams who have identified key areas for community development and are working to accomplish them.

Stalder said that during the nine-month class, leaders would enhance leadership skills, broaden community awareness, develop an understanding of servant leadership, and determine ways they might give back to the community of Belle Fourche.

“They just have great energy and good drive for the community,” Stalder said.

“Community development is pretty broad,” Stalder said. “And it does encompass a lot, so the things that we’re working on, we see as being an important part of how Belle Fourche either goes forward or doesn’t. And I think we’re on the right path.”

HISTORY OF THE RODEO Black Hills Roundup

Started in 1918 as the “Tri-State Roundup” to raise funds for the Red Cross during World War I, the Black Hills Roundup drew 15,000 spectators to Belle Fourche its first year — an incredible number, as the population of the town was under 1,500, with no roads and few cars to speak of in the area. The Roundup started on the Fourth of July and raised nearly $20,000 for the war effort. Though the war ended the year after, the popularity of the rodeo made it an annual event.

The benefit raised money through an auction. Items included everything from livestock, to a pet antelope, to doughnuts.

Another fundraiser was the “German Kaiser Bill Coffin Scene,” where a person paid 25 cents to hammer a nail into the coffin and received a war Thrift Stamp for the effort of hammering the Kaiser’s coffin shut.

The first Roundup consisted of saddle bronc riding, wagon, horse and relay races, bulldogging, steer and calf roping, cow pony races, and a ladies’ bucking contest.

Simple in setup in its humble beginning, the rodeo had no chutes or stands, and the arena was barely fenced in enough to keep the horses from getting out. This made for more risk, as the contestant would have to catch the bronc before a ride. The rules were simple: choose a bronc, “ear” it, climb on, nod, and start.

To “ear” a horse, two or three cowboys would catch its head and bite its ear to control it, distracting it long enough to saddle up and hop on. In the ladies’ bucking contest, women were required to “shackle” their horse — tying the stirrups together

underneath the horse — as it was believed to be safer and easier for the women to participate.

The feature of the first Roundup was the appearance of Tipperary: the famous Harding County bucking horse. Thirteen years old and over 1,000 pounds, Tipperary drew a huge crowd, and though the crowd saw Sam Brownell of Cheyenne, Wyo., finish his ride, a technical error disqualified him. He switched hands in the middle of his ride, and though the judges did not see it, he admitted his mistake and Tipperary remained a “one man” bronc.

Roundups through the 1920s consisted of whatever the organizing group at the time decided to do, as there was no standard for a rodeo. Many events at the early Roundups were organized by the Bit and Spur Saddle Club, which added to the entertainment and fun of the rodeo atmosphere. The Hide Race consisted of a rider racing across the arena pulling a cowhide behind his horse to where his partner waited to jump onto the hide for the ride back across the arena.

The rodeo events were canceled in 1929 because of the mud in the arena, and an early newspaper clipping tells of what replaced the events: “a burlesque show was put on for two or three hours …” Outdoor rodeos today are rarely, if ever, stopped due to weather, and there is plenty of evidence of mud on many horses and competitors throughout the Roundup.

The 1930s brought the chance for the younger generation to participate in the events of the rodeo. A rancher would agree to bring a dozen calves, and children could earn $1 to ride a calf in the arena. Many

youngsters also practiced their trick riding during the Roundup.

Since the 1940s, buffalo have been present throughout Roundup events. In the ‘40s, a buffalo hunt would be staged — actors dressed in Native American garb to chase the buffalo through the arena. In more recent years there have been trick acts, with buffalo performing a variety of feats.

Chariot racing became a favorite in the 1950s and ‘60s, where a two-wheeled cart pulled by one horse held a racer, and many contestants readied their horses for this event as they traveled. The horse would pull the family and rodeo supplies to Belle Fourche in true practical training, and later race against one another with much lighter loads.

The formation of the PRCA (Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association) standardized seven events for the Roundup: bareback riding, tie-down roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding. Additionally, steer roping will be held. In 2019, the Roundup celebrated its centennial.

“Very few PRCA rodeos can say that,” said then-Black Hills Roundup Committee Chairman, Clay Crago. “To carry on the rodeo and the cowboy tradition for 100 years is just phenomenal.”

Its committee earned induction into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2018. The Roundup has garnered top honors from the PRCA in recent years. It received the Medium Outdoor Rodeo of the Year award five straight years: 2018 through 2022, inclusive.

The facility was named WPRA Badlands Circuit Ground of the Year in 2018.

The Black Hills Roundup carries a storied history now more than a century long.

MARCH

4 First Saturday Brunch, Soap Suds Row Archaeology

10 am, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

6 Belle Fourche High School Band & Choir Concert

7 pm, Belle Fourche Rec Center

9 Center of the Nation Concert

Dan Millers Cowboy Music Review

7 pm, Belle Fourche Area Community Center

14 Family Fun Day, “Wild Wacky Weather”

2 pm, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

17-18 1903 Readers Theater Company Performance

17th: 7 pm, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center 18th: 2 pm, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

17-18 Belle Fourche Middle School Play 7 pm, Belle Fourche Rec Center Theatre 25 Belle Fourche High School Prom 30 Center of the Nation Concert

Take 3 Violin, Piano, & Cello

7 pm, Belle Fourche Area Community Center

APRIL

3 First Saturday Brunch, Leo Orme - Historical Hydro Electric Plants on the Redwater

10 am, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center 9 River Run on the River Walk Belle Fourche Rec Center 9-10

OCTOBER

7 First Saturday Brunch, Viola Colombe - Quilts and Quilting

10 am, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

15 Family Fun Day, “Creepy Creatures”

2 pm, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

21 7th Annual Pumpkinfest

10 am, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

21 Moonlight Madness & Chili Contest

Throughout Belle Fourche

28 “Homesteading” Mini-Exibit Opens

Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

31 Halloween Spooktacular

Belle Fourche Rec Center

31 CONBA Halloween Parade

Downtown Belle Fourche

TBD Belle Fourche Area Community

Theater, TBD Halloween Show

Belle Fourche Rec Center

TBD Belle Fourche High School Band & Choir Concert 7 pm, Belle Fourche Rec Center

TBD 11th Annual Fearless 5k

TBD Purple Pride Haunted House TBD

NOVEMBER

4 First Saturday Brunch, David Super - The Sheriffs of Meade County

10 am, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

AUGUST

7/31 –

4-13

5

19 Family Fun Day, “Thankful for Thanksgiving”

2 pm, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

24 Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce

Parade of Lights Downtown Belle Fourche

24 CONBA Light Up the Night & Fireworks

Downtown Belle Fourche

TBD Belle Fourche High School Fall Play

TBD Veterans Day Program Belle Fourche Middle School

DECEMBER

9 ............ Gingerbread Village Opens

Thursday, July 6, 13, 20, & 27

Riverside with Hometown Thursdays

6-9:30 pm, Center of the Nation Park Area

7/4 Amusement Carnival

Downtown Belle Fourche

SEPTEMBER

2 First Saturday Brunch, Mary Chantry Nelson - Having a Baby in the 1920’s

10 am, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

9 “History of Quilting”

Temporary Exibit Opens

Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

10 Belle Fourche Rec Center Fall Kickoff

Open House

1-4pm, Belle Fourche Rec Center

17 Family Fun Day, “The Sounds of Music”

2 pm, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

23 Annual Autumn Tea, “The Colors of the Rainbow”

Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

15-16 Tri-State Performers Production Holiday Play

TBD, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

17 Family Fun Day, “Christmas Crafts”

2 pm, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

TBD Belle Fourche High School & Middle School Band & Choir Concert

TBD K-4th Grade Concert

TBD Festival of Trees

JANUARY 2024

6 First Saturday Brunch, TBD

10 am, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

TBD 11th Annual Resolution Run Belle Fourche Rec Center

FEBRUARY 2024

3 First Saturday Brunch, TBD

10 am, Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center

TBD 11th Annual Wellness Fair

Schedule subject

change.

SOUTH DAKOTA’S RODEO HOME Belle Fourche:

Belle Fourche has made a name for itself as a rodeo town. Much of that is due to the popularity of the historic Black Hills Roundup: an annual Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo that’s been held here since 1918.

The Roundup will observe its 104th anniversary this year starting Friday, June 30 and ending on Tuesday, July 4.

“One of the top priorities of our committee is to promote the heritage of our area and the valuable

businesses and attractions available to visitors,” Black Hills Roundup committee chairperson Dallas Conner said.

An estimated 20,000 parade goers and 7,500 rodeo performance attendees visited last year’s Roundup. Conner said those numbers translate into generating $34,000 in sales tax revenue.

Traditional events dominate this year’s schedule. They include four PRCA Rodeo performances, the parade, and a “Chutes for Charity” golf tournament.

Conner said the Roundup aims to create an atmosphere that includes many interests. Family activities include the parade, carnival, and fireworks show along with familystyle entertainment during the July 1 rodeo performance.

Entertainment on July 1 will feature Bobby Kerr using wild horses, mustangs, and dogs in a Wild West show theme using antique cars and unique props.

The Black Hills Roundup earned its fifth straight PRCA Medium Outdoor Rodeo of the Year honor

in 2022.

Conner said the feat is an incredible honor that truly defines the volunteerism level in Belle Fourche.

“When you consider that everyone is involved is in a volunteer capacity, it is overwhelming,” she added.

“Being recognized nationally really confirms our forward thinking approach to managing the Roundup,” Conner said. She added the committee dedicates much time and effort to produce the best possible experience.

Powder River Rodeo, in 2019, received the Remuda Award that honors the best pens of horses throughout the year. This stock contractor has worked with the Roundup for almost 35 years.

Events for this year will include mutton bustin’, ranch rodeo, concerts, steer roping, a downtown carnival, two nights of fireworks, and four PRCA rodeo performances.

“Our goal is to create sustainable growth with an event that is steeped in traditions,” Conner said of planning for the 2023 Roundup. She added volunteers do homework and put forth a lot of effort to host an outstanding event.

Each of the PRCA rodeo performances carries a theme.

“Family Night” will take place on Saturday, July 1. The “Chutes for Charity” performance is set for Sunday, July 2.

“Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night” is set for Monday, July 3. “First Responders Appreciation” has a scheduled date of Tuesday, July 4.

While the rodeo itself is certainly the big draw, there’s enough going on at the Black Hills Roundup to please almost anyone. There are carnival rides, art shows, concerts and much more.

The Black Hills Roundup’s fireworks display is among

the best in South Dakota, and the Independence Day parade is one of the largest in the state. This year’s fireworks show will take place on two nights, following the PRCA rodeo performances of Sunday, July 2 and Monday, July 3.

A Miss Black Hills Roundup Queen pageant is set for Thursday, June 29. Coronation will take place Friday, June 30, prior to the Ranch Rodeo.

While the Black Hills Roundup is the biggest rodeo in Belle Fourche, it does not stand alone. Belle Fourche is also home to many other rodeos.

The Belle Jackpot Association rodeos take place this year on several days in May through August. Scheduled dates are May 11, May 24 and 31, and June 6-7. An inclement weather rain date is set for July 12.

This rodeo features roping, goat tying, barrel racing, and pole bending events for contestants of all ages. Check Facebook.com/ Belle Jackpot for more information.

The Butte County 4-H Rodeo also calls Belle Fourche home. This rodeo is open to South Dakota 4-H members aged 8 to 18 and features barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, team roping, ribbon

roping, calf riding, senior and junior bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and a pageant called “The Ambassador Contest.”

This 4-H rodeo begins with the Ambassador Contest, which then gives way to the main rodeo events. Dates were not available as of press time. For more information on the Butte County 4-H Rodeo, contact the Butte County Extension Office at (605) 892-3371.

BELLE FOURCHE

DON’T MISS IT! Rodeo Action IN

HOLLERS – GOLLIHER BREAKAWAY CLINICS

MARCH 24-26, APRIL 6-8, MAY 12-14, MAY 26-27, JUNE 10-11

19516 US Hwy. 85, Belle Fourche

For more information and the upcoming fall schedule, go to www.zproductions.biz or Golliher Arena on Facebook

BELLE JACKPOT ASSOCIATION RODEO

MAY 11, 24, & 31, JUNE 6 & 7

Rain Date: July 12

For more information, visit their Facebook page @BelleJackpot

104TH ANNUAL BLACK HILLS ROUNDUP PRCA RODEO

JUNE 30 – JULY 4

For more information and tickets, contact the Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center at 605-723-2100 or www.blackhillsroundup.com

BUTTE/ LAWRENCE COUNTY 4-H RODEO

JULY 31 – AUG. 5

For more information, contact Butte County Extension at 605-892-3371

GET THE GREEN SLOT & 4D BARREL RACE

AUGUST 26 & 27

For more information, contact Lorita Crofford at 605-645-7592

All rodeos are at the Roundup Grounds unless otherwise noted. Schedules are subject to change.

Belle Bits

ALL THIS AND MORE AT THE TRI-STATE MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTER

Serving Breakfast & Lunch!

Open

June 29th P MISS BLACK HILLS ROUNDUP QUEEN CONTEST

June 30th P CHUTES FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

June 30th P RANCH RODEO — COMMUNITY BBQ

July 1st P PRCA RODEO — FAMILY NIGHT

July 2nd P PRCA RODEO — FIREWORKS — CHUTES FOR CHARITY NIGHT

July 3rd P PRCA RODEO — FIREWORKS — TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK NIGHT

July 4th P PARADE — PRCA RODEO — MILITARY & FIRST RESPONDERS DAY

June 30th -

4th P CARNIVAL

PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON

In July 1918, a telegram was sent to President Wilson offering a donation of a prize lamb which brought $5,425 at a Red Cross Auction during the first Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche. The president replied, “I appreciate your telegram and admire the work for the Red Cross…thanks for thinking of me, but I have no means to care for such a lamb.”

CALAMITY JANE

In 1903, Calamity Jane returned to the Black Hills, where she was employed by her friend Dora DuFran — one of the leading, most successful madams in the Old West. Jane earned her keep as the Belle Fourche brothel’s laundress and cook until her death on Aug. 2.

CAPT. DON SMITH

Lt. Don Smith, Belle Fourche High School Class of ’36, USAA Corps, piloted a plane off the aircraft carrier Hornet as part of the Doolittle Raid in April 1942, and crash landed off the coast of China. He was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Military Order of China by Madame Chiang Kaishek, and earned the rank of captain. He was also honored by his hometown of Belle Fourche at the 1942 Black Hills Roundup. Capt. Smith was inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame in 2012.

“WE’RE BURNIN’ DAYLIGHT”

The 1972 Western Classic, “The Cowboys,” is a cowboy tale of a 400-mile cattle drive to Belle Fourche, led by John Wayne as “Wil Andersen.” Three of the film’s stars — Al Barker, Norman Howell, and Mike Pyeatt, who played “Fats,” “Weedy,” and “Homer,” respectively — visited Belle Fourche to check out the town of the movie’s plot. The actors said they were impressed with the community, the people, and the hospitality.

WOMEN’S HATS

A local milliner — or, women’s hat maker — gave the girls at the brothels first choice of hats crafted. Once a hat was chosen, that model was taken off the market so “proper” women of the town would not be seen wearing the same hat as a brothel worker.

TIPPERARY

Rejected by military horse buyers during World War I for bucking off every rider, the colt was won in a poker game by a saloonkeeper, who then bet a local bronc rider $500 that the horse couldn’t be ridden. When the cowboy was indeed bucked off, he sat in the dust singing, “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.”

Tipperary began a career that lasted until 1928, dumping 80 riders before Yakima Canutt made the first qualifying ride in 1920. The following year, Canutt rode the horse for the second and last time, in Belle Fourche. Tipperary was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1979.

SPOILING THE FUN

Belle Fourche once had a traveling house of prostitution that floated up and down the Belle Fourche River. In 1919, the town “tried to spoil a man’s fun” — they voted out prostitution, and voted in prohibition.

The Great

BUTTE COUNTY BANK ROBBERY

KEEPING THE COWBOYS IN TOWN

when they came to ship livestock

The cowboys wanted gambling, drink, dance, and girls. The merchants of Belle Fourche, like Madame Dora DuFran, saw to it that the cowboys’ wants were met, lest they take their money to Deadwood.

POTATO CREEK JOHNNY

On March 13, 1907, John C. Perrett, “Potato Creek Johnny,” who found the largest gold nugget in the Black Hills, married Mollie Hamilton at the Butte County Courthouse. They had no children and divorced after nearly 20 years. Mollie died in Belle Fourche in 1944, and is buried in Pine Slope Cemetery.

The Great Butte County Bank Robbery in 1897 was committed by the Hole-In-the Wall Gang including Kid Curry, the Sundance Kid, and Tom O’Day. The former Wells Fargo Bank currently sits on the site of the Butte County Bank.

Butte-Lawrence County Fair

The sounds of “mews,” “baas,” and “moos” can be heard each year in Nisland as the annual Butte-Lawrence County Fair commences at the historic fairgrounds.

The fair dates back to the early 1920s. At a meeting held in Nisland on April 5, 1920, a county agriculture fair was proposed. In September 1920, Butte County purchased 40 acres of land along the Belle Fourche River from Albert M. Willard and Roy F. McNeil, to use as the Butte County Fairgrounds. County commissioners appropriated $7,500 for improvements of the fairgrounds in preparation to hold the fair in 1921. In August of 1921, Earl Wilson was given a contract for constructing buildings, moved onto the fairgrounds, and started pouring concrete foundations.

Thus, the Butte County Fair was born. The

first official fair was held in Nisland Sept. 27-29, 1921. The 50th Butte County Fair was held in 1977, but the Golden Jubilee was not celebrated until 1978. A year later, Lawrence County joined forces with Butte County and hosted its first combined fair.

Today, more than 40 years later, the agricultural fair is still a major draw for thousands of local residents and visitors alike.

Youth members of 4-H spend the whole year preparing their agricultural exhibits and livestock. Numerous animals file in including beef, sheep, swine, rabbits, goats, bunnies, and chickens for competitive judging. Several buildings on the grounds house 4-H exhibits, as well as the livestock.

The Nisland Fairgrounds lie along the Belle Fourche River and include the historic grandstand — which is no longer in use — and the groundskeeper’s house. The Pavilion, built in 1921, is the site of Open Class Exhibits including flowers, quilts, canned goods, and photography.

There’s something for everyone at the fair.

Visitors can watch contestants pit their manpower against a machine in the tractor pull, or they can catch the Youth Rodeo with family-friendly events like

barrel racing, goat tail untying, dummy roping, pole bending, and breakaway roping. Live musical guests and the Belle Fourche Cowboy Band provide entertainment throughout the fair, and a community barbecue is held every year. Other events at the fair include the Beef Showmanship, small animal and pet judging, sheep dog trials, livestock sale, and dance. The fair has many activities for the little ones, including contests such as “Catch a Sheep,” “Bum Lamb Dress-Up,” “Dress a Rabbit,” and the “Bucket Calf Show,” and many other activities like the talent show, baby contest, and fashion review. For those wishing to camp overnight at the fairgrounds, board members request people call and secure a camping permit prior to the event. There are parking spaces with electricity and tent sites available.

Michelle May, the 4-H/youth-program advisor, said their numbers have been climbing steadily.

“Overall, the turnout (in 2022) was wonderful. It was hot, but we still had really steady numbers,” said May. “Specifically we see our numbers increasing for our greased pig wrestling contest, the community barbeque, and the livestock sale.”

The Butte and Lawrence County Fair Board also has plans for renovating the horse arena this year. The improvements include updating the roping boxes, lead-up pens, and return alleys and chutes.

May said the group wants to get the community involved in the annual event even more than before.

“Let’s bring the community together,” she said.

“This is the place where people will come together for a variety of worthwhile reasons, including entertainment and fun, and leave imprinted with a memory of legacy, tradition, joy, and success.”

The 2023 event is slated for July 31 through Aug. 5. To obtain a pass or for more information, call the fair board office at (605) 2572370 or visit buttesd.org/buttelawrence-county-fair

Arts Abound!

BELLE FOURCHE FOSTERS MUSIC

HOMETOWN THURSDAYS Riverside with Art

AND MORE

Visitors and residents alike will find that the arts abound in the picturesque community of Belle Fourche. Whether it’s spending a July evening in the park listening to area musicians, touring the local art galleries, or attending a community theatre production, there is plenty of arts-related entertainment throughout the year in Belle Fourche.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

8 WEEKS

Hometown Thursdays is fun for the whole family. The weekly event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, beginning June 8 and ending July 27 at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center in the complex’s lawn.

This exciting community gathering includes food, vendors, children’s activities, and much more.

Riverside with Hometown Thursdays also offers a new band every week. Many of the live musical acts are comprised of local talent and span multiple genres — anywhere from rock to country music. All musical entertainment is family friendly. To stay updated on the musical act lineup, follow the Hometown Thursdays Facebook page.

EVENT DATES:

Tri-State Performers

In 2017, the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center introduced the Tri-State Performers — a theater troupe for area students interested in museum theater. The group is slated to perform several productions each year at the Tri-State complex off of Highway 85 in Belle Fourche.

Museum theater consists of productions that take place within a museum and specifically relates to the museum’s collections or mission, or to the history, science, and culture of the surrounding area. Productions are not reliant upon lavish costumes, props, or set pieces, and are best performed in intimate settings where actors and audiences are close together.

“Museum theater is a concept that sprang up only in the last decade or so,” Kristi Thielen, the museum’s director who will lead the troupe, said. “The name is something of a misnomer as it is performed not just in museums, but in science centers, planetariums, aquariums, zoos, and botanical gardens around the country.”

In 2023, The Tri-State Performers will not have a spring production, but instead this time will be used to premiere a new reader’s theatre company, The 1903 Reader’s Theatre Company, which is designed for senior adults. They will perform “Within the Law” on March 17 at 7 p.m. and March 18 at 2 p.m.

The Tri-State Performers will resume in the summer with a show called,

CENTER OF THE NATION CONCERT ASSOCIATION

In the early 1990s a group of citizens saw an opportunity to expand the culture and bring entertainment to Belle Fourche. Together, they formed the Center of the Nation Concert Association.

Audiences for the series come from all across the Tri-State region.

The performances, which are appropriate for all ages, are all held at the Belle Fourche Rec Center Theater, which is located at 1111 National St.

For more details on the organization and concert schedule, visit www.centerofthenationconcerts.org.

BELLE FOURCHE COMMUNITY THEATRE 2023 SEASON

The overall mission of the community theatre organization is to entertain and inspire the audience and participants alike. A group of hardworking volunteers, all with a diverse range of expertise and creative backgrounds, have been setting the stage for this program since May 2010. After several

THE BELLE FOURCHE COWBOY BAND

The Belle Fourche Cowboy Band is the oldest, most established local band in the area. It was officially organized in 1931, but its rich history stretches all the way back to the turn of the century. Today, the Belle Fourche Cowboy Band can be seen performing at nearly every single community event throughout the year and is a staple in all of the parades in Belle Fourche. One of their most well known performances occurs during the Black Hills Roundup and Rodeo, held every Fourth of July. They are also a common sight at the Butte-Lawrence County Fair held July 31-Aug. 5, 2023, and remain a presence at other local events. Dressed in bright red shirts and white cowboy hats, the band’s familiar tunes are the backdrop of presentations all over town that families have enjoyed coming to for decades.

The band is made up of a variety of different musicians who come from a variety of backgrounds, and added a brass quintet this past year. For more information on the band, all of their upcoming events, their history and their photo album, visit www.bfcowboyband.com.

During the summer there are free concerts at the band shell in Herrmann Park. The concerts will be held in July, weather permitting.

The performance schedule varies year to year — from rock to classical to bluegrass — and all shows are appropriate for children. Bring a lawn chair, your family, and something to drink because this is the best place to be when the sun starts to set after a hot summer day in Belle Fourche. Sponsored by the Belle Fourche Arts Council, this is just one of several activities held during the summertime. For information and upcoming performances, visit the Belle Fourche Arts Council Facebook page.

GET TO KNOW US

Belle Fourche, South Dakota

DIRECTORY

5, 699

2,585 HOUSEHOLDS | 68% OWNER OCCUPIED | MEDIAN GROSS RENT $892

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

PUBLIC LIBRARY

905 5th Ave., 605-892-4407

POST OFFICE

804 State St., 605-892-2815

SENIOR CENTER/ BELLE SILVER LINING

828 Kingsbury St., 605-892-6285

TRI-STATE MUSEUM

415 5th Ave., 605-723-1200

COMMUNITY HALL

512 6th Ave., 605-892-2676

DICK BOWMAN MEMORIAL HALL

Herrmann Park

LANDFILL

Monday – Friday, 7 am – 4 pm

Saturday – 8 am – 4 pm (summer) 9 am – 2 pm (winter)

RV DUMP STATION

In between Tri-State Museum and City Hall

CEMETERIES

Cemetery Office: 605-892-3735

Pine Slope – Hwy. 34 St. Paul’s – Hwy. 34 Riverside – Sourdough Rd., off E. National St.

EDUCATION

1 High School (9–12)

1 Middle School (5–8)

2 Elementary Schools (PK–4)

HEALTH CARE

MONUMENT HEALTH

BELLE FOURCHE CLINIC

2200 13th Ave., 605-723-8970

MONUMENT HEALTH

REHABILITATION

2200 13th Ave., 605-723-8961

ROLLING HILLS HEALTHCARE

2200 13th Ave., 605-892-3331

BUTTE COUNTY HEALTH NURSE

Christine Byrd 2398 5th Ave., Ste. 102 605-892-2523, Newell: 605-456-2245

BELLE FOURCHE SENIOR CENTER/ SILVER LININGS

828 Kingsbury St., 605-892-6285

MEALS ON WHEELS

1400 Mill St., 605-723-5946

EMERGENCY: 911

FINANCE

2 BANKS

2 CREDIT UNIONS

UTILITIES

South Dakota ONE Call Call before you dig! 811 in state, 800-781-7474 out of state

ELECTRICITY

Black Hills Energy, 800-890-5554

Butte Electric Cooperative, 800-928-8839

WATER & SANITATION PICK UP City of Belle Fourche, 605-892-2494

Refuse Solutions, Inc., 605-723-7723

NATURAL GAS CO.

Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., 800-MDU-FAST

CABLE/ COMMUNICATIONS

MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS, 800-888-1300

BLUEPEAK 605-722-2000

DISH NETWORK –

PRIME ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNICATIONS, 605-892-4565

Source: data.census.gov

LOCAL, LEGAL NEWSPAPER, Black Hills Pioneer, 315 Seaton Circle, Spearfish 605-642-2761

GOVERNMENT CITY

Mayor, 8-Member City Council COUNTY

5 Commissioners

BELLE FOURCHE POLICE DEPT. 1010 8th Ave., 605-892-4354 10 Officers Fred Lamphere, County Sheriff 605-892-3324

7 Deputies

BELLE FOURCHE

VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE 605 6th Ave., 605-892-2254

BELLE FOURCHE

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. 605 National St., 605-892-6237

BELLE FOURCHE MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION COMPASSION

CUPBOARD

522 5th Ave., 605-569-1256

Tuesday, 9 am – noon,

Thursday, 2 pm – 6 pm

RECREATION FACILITIES

10 City Parks

Roundup Rodeo Arena

2 Tennis Courts

Softball/Baseball Fields

Soccer Complex

Public Ice Skating Rink

Skate Park

Bike Path

Disc Golf

Herrmann Park

Band Shell Amphitheater

BELLE FOURCHE

REC CENTER

1111 National St., 605-892-2467

Swimming Pool, Wading Pool,

2 Water Slides, Conference Room, Walking Track, Weight Room, Cardio Workout Room,

2 Basketball Courts, Racquetball Courts, Gymnasium, Theatre

To reserve a room at the Belle Fourche Rec Center, the Community Hall, or Dick Bowman Memorial Hall, call 892-2467, Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm

ORGANIZATIONS & PUBLIC OFFICES

AAU WRESTLING aauwrestling.net

AMERICAN LEGION – POST 32 Mike Reade’, 605-892-5599

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY Nancy Wallin, 605-641-7043

ARTEMIS HOUSE/ VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE INTERVENTION 605-642-7825, Spearfish, SD

BADLANDS EARLY HEAD START 605-723-8837, badlandshs.org

BELLE FOURCHE ARTS COUNCIL Louise Reade’, 605-892-5600

BELLE FOURCHE COWBOY BAND Tim Speidel, 605-892-2930 bfcowboyband.com

BELLE FOURCHE GIRLS’ SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION bfgirlssoftball@gmail.com

BELLE FOURCHE LION’S CLUB Rick Walton, 605-645-2636 Joyce Drabek, 605-892-4082 bellefourchelions.org

BELLE FOURCHE COMPASSION CUPBOARD Tim Smith, 605-569-1256 or contact any local church pastor

BELLE FOURCHE SOCCER ASSOCIATION bellefourchesoccer.com

BELLE FOURCHE YOUTH BASEBALL 605-641-4168, bellefourcheyouthbaseball.com

BELLE FOURCHE BUCKLES & BOWS SQUARE DANCE CLUB 605-642-3919, blackhillsdosido.org

BLACK HILLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 605-718-0112, bhacf.com

BLACK HILLS YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEER LEAGUE BHYFL.com

BUTTE -LAWRENCE COUNTY 4-H 605-892-3371

BUTTE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 605-892-2507

BUTTE-LAWRENCE COUNTY FAIR BOARD 605-892-3371

CENTER OF THE NATION BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Stacey Raisanen, 605-892-0900

CENTER OF THE NATION CONCERT ASSOCIATION Mike Reade, 605-892-5599

Tickets: con-concerts.blogspot.com

CENTER OF THE NATION SPORTSMAN’S CLUB Rick Walton, 605-645-2636 consportsmansclub@gmail.com

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

605-892-2731 or 877-390-0093 dss.sd.gov

FIRE & IRON MOTORCYCLE CLUB, STATION 118 Rik Bartels, 605-645-9242 firenironstation118@gmail.com

GIRL SCOUTS – DAKOTA HORIZONS 800-666-2141, gsdakotahorizons.org

LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE

605-892-3121 399 Stanley Street, Belle Fourche

NAJA SHRINERS

605-342-3402, najashriners.com 4091 Sturgis Rd., Rapid City

MOUNT RUSHMORE AREA

ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® Brandy Hartman, 605-722-0181 1230 North Ave. Ste #1, Spearfish mountrushmoremls.com

NORTHERN HILLS AREA UNITED WAY 605-343-5872, unitedwayblackhills.org

PARENTS WHO CARE

Kelly Keegan, 605-210-2514

SOUTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL RODEO sdhsra.com

SOUTH DAKOTA RETAILERS ASSOCIATION

800-658-5545, sdra.org

320 E. Capitol, Pierre

TRI-STATE MUSEUM FOUNDATION

605-723-1200

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVELSOUTHDAKOTA.COM

CONTINUES TO Evolve & Grow Belle Fourche Rec Center

FITNESS FACILITIES:

Take a walk on the track, a swim in the pool, a jaunt on the elliptical or lift a few weights in our weight room.

PROGRAMS OFFERED: ADULT

• 500 Mile Club

• Volleyball Leagues

• Basketball Leagues

• Group Fitness & Water Fitness Classes

• SilverSneakers® Yoga, Classic, & Circuit

• Strength Training Classes

• Personal Exercise Programs

• Yoga

• Zumba® and More!

YOUTH PROGRAMS

• Basketball

BRONCS AFTER THE BELL AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

• Swimming Lessons

• Little Dribblers

• Youth Volleyball Camp

• Fast Track to Sports

• Youth Strength & Cardio

• Kids Fitness: Circuit, BOSU®, Yoga, & More

• Teen Nights

FACILITY HOURS

MONDAY–THURSDAY 5am–9pm

FRIDAY 5am–8pm

SATURDAY 8am–6pm

SUNDAY 1pm–8pm

POOL HOURS:

MONDAY-FRIDAY

Adult Swim 6–10am Open Swim | 2–7:30pm

SATURDAY

Adult Swim 8–10am Open Swim | 2–7:30pm

SUNDAY Open Swim | 1–7:30pm

Memberships or daily passes available

605-892-2467 | BELLEFOURCHEREC.COM

The Belle Fourche Rec Center has served the Belle Fourche area for more than 30 years. The Rec Center team’s mission is to encourage healthy living by promoting recreational, educational, cultural, and social activities for the citizens of the Northern Hills.

SCHOOL DISTRICT Belle Fourche

Velander, Rec Center director. “2023 is set to see continued growth with added programs and improvement projects throughout the facility.”

“We strive to have something for everyone, whether you’re 7 or 70 the Rec Center is the place to be!”

Nate Velander

“2022 was a great year with a record number of participants in our run/walks and the addition of events like Egg Hunt in the Pool and Spooky Swim. The facility saw upgrades with new LED lighting and carpet throughout the facility,” said Nate

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

NORTH PARK KINDERGARTEN

The center is home to a 25-meter swimming pool, wading pool, two waterslides, racquetball courts, gymnasium, walking track, auditorium, meeting rooms and more. The facility is a great place to host events, such as birthday parties or corporate events. The Rec Center can accommodate it all. Make a trip to the Rec Center today and check out all that is going on!

BAND/PEP BAND

BASKETBALL

CHEERLEADING

CHOIR

CROSS COUNTRY

DANCE

FALL MUSICAL

Rec Center Director

FFA

29 North 6th Avenue • 605-723-3379

Julie Hatling, Principal Julie.Hatling@k12.sd.us BEGINNING &

SOUTH PARK GRADES 1–4

1816 Valley Drive • 605-723-3382

Julie Hatling, Principal Julie.Hatling@k12.sd.us

FOOTBALL

GOLF

KNOWLEDGE BOWL

ONE-ACT PLAY

ORAL INTERP.

SOCCER

SPRING PLAY

TRACK

VOLLEYBALL

WRESTLING

ALTERNATIVE CALENDAR

The academic calendar includes both four and five-day school weeks. The calendar currently averages one five-day school week per month, with more five-day weeks in the first semester.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BELLE FOURCHE REC CENTER

BELLE FOURCHE dining

Come to the center & see Belle Fourche!

Belle Fourche begins at our complex of three big attractions:

• The Center of the Nation Monument, a magnificent granite compass rose, surrounded by the Avenue of State Flags.

• The 1876 Johnny Spaulding Cabin, a furnished two-story cabin with a history like no other.

• The Tri-State Museum with exhibits on pioneers, ranching and rodeo, early law, medicine and business, plus saloons.

• Plus, The Center of the Nation Disc Golf Course!

Interactive stuff for kids!

Activity tables and packets, discovery boxes, archaeology dig box, microscope and slides, and gold panning station

While you’re here, pick up all the maps and travel info you need for the road ahead.

Winter Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm

Closed Sunday and Monday

Summer Hours: