Destination Black Hills...or Bust!

. . .OR BUST!

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU HEAR “SOUTH DAKOTA”?

STORY BY FAITH LEWIS | KELLER WILLIAMS/LEWIS REALTY

In the early 1970s South Dakota had a marketing campaign called “South

Dakota of all Places”. That slogan would be just as apt today as it seems

South Dakota is still an obscure place in most people’s minds. Mostly wethink of the Great Plains when you mention South Dakota, a lot of open space,flat land, and prairie. Indeed, the majority of South Dakota is rolling prairies, butthere is a well-kept secret, a small unpopulated area in western South Dakota—and a portion of eastern Wyoming—called the Black Hills that covers an area110 miles long and 70 miles wide with a population of less than 240,000 andpeople are starting to notice.

Pahá Sápa

The name Black Hills comes from the Native American term Pahá Sápa, whichis the word the Lakota used to describe the black-green appearance of the hillswhen viewed from the plains. The Black Hills is covered in majestic ponderosapine, quaking aspen and beautiful granite and limestone outcroppings. BlackElk Peak—Named after the famous Native American Lakota Warrior Black Elk—is the highest point in South Dakota with an elevation of 7,242 feet above sealevel and is the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and the Swiss Alps.The reason for settlers coming to the hills was the gold rush of the late 1800’s.Gold was first discovered by George Armstrong Custer’s Black Hills Expeditionof 1874. For many of the settlers it was Destination: Black Hills and strike it rich.. .or go bust! Gold has been consistently mined in the hills now for almost 150years and is known world-wide for its Black Hills Gold jewelry. Like gold, theBlack Hills are truly a treasure of mountains, trees, and rocks in the middle ofthe prairie.

South Dakota has a reputation of harsh, cold winters but the Black Hills areais different. The southern section of the Black Hills is known as the “BananaBelt,” because on many winter days there is a temperature inversion where

SPRING 2022 | LAND

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BUYING LAND

the Hills can be sunnier and warmer compared to the lower elevations surrounding the hills. This region has less snow than Denver, warmer winters than Minneapolis, and more sunshine days than Miami. Even though winter can be cool and snowy, summers are warm, dry and sunny, with daytime temperatures reaching into the 70s and 80s. Interesting fact: up until 1992 South Dakota’s state slogan was the “Sunshine State”.

The Black Hills is Home to internationally famous landmarks such as Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Jewel Cave National Park (third longest cave in the world), Wind Cave National Park (seventh longest cave in the world), and the mysterious and unique Devil’s Tower National Monument located in the Black Hills of Wyoming. And of course, the hills are rich in Native American culture, old-west mining towns such as the infamous Deadwood, and museums of all kinds.

With over 1.2 million acres of National Forest public land to enjoy there is something for everyone here. There are miles and miles of Forest Service roads for the ultimate in off-road recreation including ATV riding, mountain biking and hunting. The old mining railroads are gone, so now you can hike, bike ride or horseback ride the 108-mile-long rails-to-trails known as the Mickelson Trail, named after the late governor George Mickelson. The northern hills offer winter sports such as skiing, snowshoeing, crosscountry

skiing and snowmobiling, and thereis always great ice fishing in the many lakesthroughout the hills.

Million-Acre Playground

There is an amazing hiking trail networkthroughout the hills for wonderful day hikes,amazing views, and secluded backpackcamping trips. You can visit old fire towers, swim,and fish in the many lakes, take a hot air balloontour, explore caves, and the Black Hills is hometo world-class rock climbing. See a multitude ofanimal life ranging from American Bison (Buffalo),deer, elk, prairie dogs and coyotes (state animal),as well as unique flora and fauna to enjoy. Thereare fun and unique little towns to visit and somany good places to eat! The Black Hills is alsohome to the famous annual Sturgis MotorcycleRally in August, which can bring in hundredsof thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts eachyear that come to ride through the windingswitchback roads and tunnels of the beautifulNeedles Highway.

Land of the Free

In 2020 the Black Hills—and South Dakota morebroadly—took a very common-sense approachwhen the pandemic hit, didn’t lock-down andhas thrived as a result with one of the lowestunemployment rates in the nation and one ofthe strongest economies. South Dakota andWyoming also have no state income tax; trulythe land of the free. This combination has gotten

the attention of a lot of people in our countryand has resulted in a lot of those folks relocatinghere to call the Black Hills their home. Spurredby the desire for a better quality of life individuals,families, and businesses have moved here lock,stock, and barrel and have said goodbye to thecraziness of the cities. The Black Hills are numbertwo in the USA for people relocating according to2021 National Movers Study.

When you come to visit the Black Hills, you canpick quiet remote places to refuel your senses,or you can go to adventure parks for amusementand the time of your life—or any combination ofeverything above for your own one-of-a-kindBlack Hills Experience. One thing is for sure, ifyou come to visit the Black Hills you may wellwant to call it your new home, your destination,and you’ll be saying: South Dakota of all Places!

If you have interest in learning more about theBlack Hills to see if they might be the right fit foryou and your family or business, please feel freeto reach out to us at DestinationBlackHills.com.Team Faith Lewis is an organization of excellenceand professionalism with great expertise inthese beautiful Black Hills and surroundingareas. Based out of Custer City, South Dakota,with an office in Newcastle, Wyoming, Faith’sTeam has helped hundreds of families purchaseor sell over $86.5 million in real estate in 2021.Remember you gotta have faith! Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated. °

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