Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 2
Welcome and Thank You
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is excited to be offering you our first ever souvenir Motorcycle Magazine. We’re very excited to be able to share some historical information and articles with you, and to offer our partners a place to advertise their great businesses and events. The proceeds from this magazine will allow the museum to continue to fulfill its mission to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of motorcycling, honor those who have made a positive and significant impact on the sport and lifestyle, and pay tribute to the heritage of the Sturgis Rally. The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame started in 2001 when a group of folks in the motorcycle industry decided it was important to tell the story of the significant role motorcycles
have played in our heritage, and that there could be no better place to tell that story than in Sturgis, home of one of the world’s largest and oldest motorcycle rallies. In 2002, the City of Sturgis decided the old Post Office building on the corner of Main & Junction would serve the city best if it housed this new museum. Since then, a great many friends of the museum have allowed us to display their motorcycling treasures. We’re able to exhibit some amazing motorcycles and memorabilia that wouldn’t be available to the public without the support of our friends. While the museum was formed by a very grassroots effort, we are working hard to take the museum to the next level. The funds raised through this publication are earmarked for a future expansion. Our location is wonderful, but
we need more space. As we look to the future, we know that the museum needs to grow in space as well as in technology. We know you understand the importance of lending your financial support so that the museum can not only continue to share the story, but constantly improve the way in which that story is conveyed through new exhibits and upgraded displays. If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit us in person, please make every effort to stop by the museum while you’re in the beautiful Black Hills. We think we’ve got a lot to offer, and we hope you’ll agree. Christine Paige Diers, Executive Director for the Board of Directors Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
Hello and welcome to the City of Sturgis. Our community welcomes our friends and family who come to visit us in the beautiful Black Hills. A lot of people work very hard to make our town a welcoming and exciting place to spend time and we hope you enjoy your time here and also come back again! From visiting the Motorcycle Museum on world famous Main Street to touring the hills and everything in between I hope that your time here is safe and you get a chance to do many of the exciting activities. There has been change in our community with many new additions, and more changes yet to come. The Chamber of Commerce is an excellent source of information, and they are located on Junction Avenue. Again, I just would like to thank you for coming on behalf of City of Sturgis Staff, City Council, and all the great citizens of the City of Sturgis. Regards, Mark C. Carstensen Mayor of Sturgis Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 3
Welcome and Thank You
pg. 3
Museum Board of Directors
pg. 6
Where the Brotherhood Began
pg. 7
Biker Belles® Ride
pg. 10
Sturgis Rally Town
pg. 12
Early Railroading in the Black Hills
pg. 14
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest
pg. 18
2014 Rally Word Search
pg. 20
Legends Ride
pg. 22
A Brief History of Spearfish Canyon
pg. 24
The Attack of the Mountain Pine Beetle
pg. 26
Sturgis Rally Photo & Video Contest
pg. 30
Potato Creek Johnny
pg. 32
Rally Maze
pg. 34
Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week
pg. 36
Creating Mount Rushmore
pg. 38
South Dakota Statehood
pg. 40
Weather in the Black Hills
pg. 42
A Brief History of Custer State Park
pg. 44
The Belle Fourche Hold-Up – Or Some Things Just Don't Work Out!
pg. 46
Member Sign Up
pg. 50
2014 Rally Wordcross
pg. 52
A Great Moment in South Dakota History
pg. 54
Mount Rushmore's Time Capsule
pg. 56
Future Expansion of the Museum
pg. 62
Storm Chasing – Outrunning the Weather in the Black Hills
pg. 64
2014 Hall of Fame Inductees
pg. 66-68
Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame
pg. 69
Motorcycle History Quiz
pg. 74
®
®
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Motorcycle Magazine Cover & Content Art: Grizzly Joe Graphics Publisher & Sales: Pete Torino Editor: Wayne Paananen Graphic design and print by: Seaton Publishing Co., Inc., Spearfish, SD Lead Layout Designer: Katelyn Walton Design Contributions: Grizzly Joe Graphics Content: Wayne Paananen, Pete Torino, Christine Paige Diers, Jody Speck, Constance Walter For more info. go to www.sturgismuseum.com
2014
Published 7-2014. All rights reserved. © 2014 KNKL Radio Network and Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
Sanford Underground Research Facility
pg. 76, 77
Comanche – Survivor of the Little Big Horn
pg. 78
Do You Like to Explore?
pg. 80
Coe Meyer's Dream
pg. 82
The First Newspapers in the Black Hills
pg. 88
Rockerville
pg. 90
Puzzle Answers
pg. 92
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Official Program pg. 4
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 5
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 6
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 7
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 8
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 9
® Real Women, Real Stories and Real Fun – that’s what the Biker Belles® ride is every year, and 2014 promises to be even better than prior years. The Biker Belles was created by the Sturgis Buffalo Chip® to celebrate women in motorcycling. This year’s ride, presented by Harley Davidson, will be held on Tuesday, August 5th. It all begins with an inspiring symposium of leading industry women at The Lodge at
Buffalo Chip Photos
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 10
Deadwood. This year, participants on the symposium, titled “Ride On”, include Kathy Tolleson, Founder of Roar Motorcycles, Cat Hammes, known as the “One-Legged-Blonde” and others. These leaders will share their stories of riding and will encourage all of the participants to be a part of the world of women in motorcycling. Be sure to check out the Team Diva Comfort Zone to tune yourself up before the beautiful
ride through the canyons of the Black Hills. Road Captain and safety expert, Vicki Roberts-Sanfelipo, will lead the way. Guests arrive to a special catered reception, fashion show featuring HarleyDavidson Motorclothes® and auction at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. Created to raise funds for South Dakota charities, Biker Belles® brings women, their families and friends together to celebrate the role they play in shaping the culture, sport, art and the history of motorcycling. While the ride celebrates women, everyone is welcome to join our gathering of mentorship, riding and sharing!
Riders will make a contribution to join the Ride and festivities, 100% of which will again go directly to two South Dakota charities to benefit women-related causes. The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame receives a portion of the proceeds to expand or enhance exhibits that feature women riders and their role in the history and culture of motorcycling. Helping with Horsepower is the second recipient – with funds being used in the Biker Rebuild Program that helps young women and girls who are at risk or are victims of abuse. You can get your tickets and learn more about the Biker Belles® Ride at www.bikerbelles.com.
Elkview Campground Easy on/off
Exit 37
• Full RV Hookup Sites as well as plenty of shaded tent sites. • Great Food, Happy Hour & Entertainment every night. • Best Showers in South Dakota
We Treat You Like Family!
Close enough to the Sturgis Rally to have fun, but far enough away to escape the congestion.
1-877-478-5162 • www.elkviewcampground.com Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 11
In the Sunshine State of South Dakota, when you say “Speed” or “Rally” most people without hesitation would say, “Sturgis”. But did you know that more than a decade before the Motorcycle Rally was even thought of, Sturgis had already acquired the titles of “Speed” and “Rally”, not for motorcycles, but for high-end racing cars. As early as 1924 the city of Sturgis had built what was considered to be the best half mile track in the United States. Its main event, held in early August brought in the best race cars and drivers from all over the country, not only because the track was laid out well, but more importantly, the track’s surface was treated with a special and secret liquid solution that held down the dust. This provided excellent visibility for the drivers and for the spectators. Up until the mid-nineteen thirties, at the height of the national depression, hundreds of people made their way to Sturgis to see top drivers compete for big cash prizes. But, in 1935 due to lack of funds the last car race was held. In 1938 Pappy Hoel and the Jackpine Gypsies started the “Sturgis Motorcycle Rally” using the very same top quality track. We all know this event has grown in size and has changed the landscape of Sturgis. In more modern time other “Rallies” have joined in, like the Camaro, Mustang, and even Cushman held one of their National Rallies in Sturgis. This year Mustang is celebrating nationally the 50th anniversary of production for one the most popular cars ever built. The eighth Annual Sturgis Mustang Rally will start August 27 and run through August 31. The founder of this event, Dan Jacobsen stated, “We expect a record number of cars this year because of the high national interest in the Mustang. It is possible we could be close to 800
Sunshine Magazine July, 1925
or 900 entries.” The Mustang Rally will feature a parade, Auto Cross, Drag Races, Poker Runs, Show and Shine and other exciting events. Sturgis will host the fifth Annual Camaro Rally June 2528. This event has been growing rapidly and over 300 cars are anticipated to enter this summer. This Rally also provides a great line up of events; parade, Show and Shine, races, and Poker Run. They are the only Rally to offer a cross country run.
Cushman has even held a National Rally in Sturgis in recent years and they are planning another as soon as possible. Many people wonder how a small town in the middle the Great Plains can draw hundreds of thousands of people year after year. It starts with location, location, location. Sturgis is very close to the center of the United States with a great Interstate Highway going right through
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 12
Sunshine Magazine July, 1925
town. Sturgis is the gateway to the breath-taking vacation land of the Black Hills. But most importantly, the naturally friendly people of Sturgis know how to make you feel WELCOME. It’s a special place where you can relax and just be yourself. Sturgis works very hard at making that possible and they do it with team work. The team includes the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, the Town
Fathers, municipal services, the Rally Events Office, the Sturgis Industrial Park, state and local law enforcement and everyone else. These are all good reasons why in 2013 Sturgis was named the “Most Progressive Town in South Dakota”. This year Meade County, for which Sturgis is the County seat, was named the 8th fastest growing county in the United States. Many people just like you fall in love with this prosperous
and growing area. It offers clean air, a laid-back lifestyle and a list of recreational activities as long as your arm, not to mention the haunting four seasons of beauty in the Black Hills. So it’s you and the folks of Sturgis that really make this a “Rally Town.” If you have a group or organization in your area that is planning on holding a Rally, why not think of Sturgis, where they really make things happen.
Mark Watson, Black HIlls Pioneer Photo
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 13
Railroading in the Black Hills started in 1881 with Homestake Mining Company building the Black Hills Fort Pierre narrow gauge to haul timber for its mining operations. The Deadwood Central Railroad, built in 1886, hauled gold ore from Terry Peak to Deadwood for processing. It wasn’t until 1888 when the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley built tracks from Nebraska to Hot Springs that the Black Hills was finally connected with the rest of the nation. Wherever railroads were built they brought cheaper transportation for a wide range of goods including passenger service that allowed rapid economic growth to the region. If you’re a real fan of railroads, sad to say you are about 100 years too late in the Black Hills.
However, the 1880 Train in Hill City can still offer you a ride on a historic steam train through the beautiful pine covered mountains of the region. There were two trains that ran through two of the most spectacular canyons in the Black Hills. One operated between Spearfish and Trojan traveling up Spearfish Canyon from 1909 until the 1930's. The second operated between Rapid City and Mystic traveling through Rapid Canyon and was considered to be the most crooked railroad in the United States. This last rail service is the focus of the story. Why choose to tell the story of this railroad that operated between 1890 and 1947? There are several reasons, one is that it had more names than any other railroad. In the beginning,
owner and builder W.T. Coad gave it the optimistic name of The Dakota, Wyoming and Missouri River Railroad. It was later called The Dakota, Western and Missouri River, then the Dakota, next was The Black Hills and Missouri River, on to The Missouri River and North Western, The Rapid City, The Black Hills and Western, the Crouch Line and finally, The Rapid Canyon Line. The goal of the little railroad’s various owners was the same, connect Rapid City with Wyoming coal fields via the Burlington “high line” which operated to Mystic, some 35 rail miles to the west. Coad and many others thought Mystic, located in center of the Black Hills, was an ideal location to serve the mineral wealth of the region.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Photo
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 14
Metropolitan Museum of Art Photo
By 1906 the line that twisted and turned its way up Rapid Canyon through beautiful, but rugged terrain with Rapid Creek flowing swiftly beside it, did reach Mystic and was changed from narrow gauge to standard. The trip climbed 1,800 feet into the mountains crossing over 105 bridges and trestles. The line used a wide range of rolling stock and engines. It was thought things were looking up, with the line carrying coal, large quantities of lumber and an ever growing number of tourists. But in 1907 a flood wiped out all but five bridges and this plunged the railroad into a debtor status from which it never really recovered. Over the next 40 years the railroad had a long line of owners each investing huge sums of money, but another flood in 1921, the stock market crash of 1929, the depression of the 1930's and World War II all added up to doom for the little short line. Little is left of this once exciting Crouch Line, but one can only wonder about the what ifs; if that railroad was still in operation today and offering a train experience like no other. A customer at a store in Mystic in 1914 told the shop keeper, “I want a mouse trap, a good one and please be quick for I want to catch a train.” “I regret sir” the shopkeeper replied, “that my mouse-traps are not guaranteed to catch a train.”
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 15
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 16
~ SINCE 1971 ~ • Trophies • Plaques • Engraving • Personalized Gifts • Corporate Awards • Name Badges • Engravable Gifts & Glassware • Engraved Signs • Promotional Products 3120 West Main Street Rapid City, SD 605-341-2929 Please visit www.VanwayTrophy.com for online ordering.
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 17
As you tour around the United States, it is most likely you will pass through, or spend time in, one or more of the many National Forests located in the United States. These forests support a strong timber industry and offer a wide range of recreational opportunities. The presence and conservation of these great
Mark Watson, Black Hills Pioneer Photo
natural resources can be traced to just one man, Gifford Pinchot. Pinchot was born August 11, 1865 and at an early age became concerned about the rapid depletion of the nation’s resources, particularly the forest. To get formal schooling in the field of forest conservation, he had to attend college in Germany because nothing on the subject was offered in the United States. At the end of four years schooling he came to understand and strongly believe in “sustained yield” in US Forest conservation. Simply put, it means you don’t cut down more trees than you can grow. To implement this concept, he reached out to the Federal Government to pass laws to put this plan in operation. By 1881, a division of the forestry had been created in the Department of Agriculture but it lacked control of public lands. By 1891, the first forest reserves had been set aside, but with no administrative criteria. In 1892, Pinchot joined the nation’s Division of Forestry. The Black Hills Forest Reserve was created by Presidential proclamation on February 22, 1897, the second reserve in the United States. H.G. Hamaker was the first supervisor of the Black Hills National Forest with headquarters at Custer. He placed twenty rangers on patrol in the Black Hills and thus began the timber conservation programs still in use today. Pinchot toured
the Black Hills in the late 1890’s and understood the growing timber needs of the Homestake Gold Mine. As a result, he worked with Homestake to lay the ground work for the first timber sale from the Federal Reserve Forest, which became known as “Case One”. He founded the Yale School of Forestry and was a professor there from 1903 to 1936. Pinchot joined the Progressive Party in support of Theodore Roosevelt and continued his campaign for better land management. In 1905 he organized the United States Forest Service and was Chief Forester under President Theodore Roosevelt. Pinchot also served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1923 to 1927 and from 1931 to 1935. He was noted for surrounding himself with knowledgeable men who were capable of bringing about change. He did not believe in locking up the forest, rather he listened attentively to the miners, loggers and stockmen and won their support through his progressive and sympathetic attention to their needs. One of the criteria Pinchot believed in for the forest users was that the small man had as much right to the natural resources of the country as did the large corporations. Gifford Pinchot died in New York on October 4, 1946. Seldom, if ever has one man made such an impact on our National Forest conservation.
South Dakota Tourism Photo
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 18
Located gis East of Stur on Hwy. 34
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Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 19
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 20
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 21
® If you’re looking for a great way to kick off the Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally, pretty much anyone who’s ever done it will tell you that the Legends Ride® is one of the premiere events. The Sturgis Buffalo Chip® will host this annual event for the 7th year in a row on Monday,
August 4th, giving participants the chance to go on a ride through the beautiful Black Hills with legends of television, film, music and motorcycling. The Legends Ride is dedicated to bringing Rally goers together to raise significant funds for local charities—having raised over $325,000 for charity since its inception in 2008. The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is proud to have been one of the recipients of this ride from the beginning. Special Olympics of the Black Hills is the recipient of the other half of the contributions from the ride. Reserve your ticket (100% of riders’ fees benefit the two charities), and you’ll be a part of an excellent day of fun. Hop on your bike and
meet up with the rest of the riders in Deadwood, mix and mingle, take part in a great live custom motorcycle auction featuring this year’s Buffalo Chip Student Build Challenge™ bike, be part of a legendary group photo, then get ready for the ride itself. This is an escorted, scenic ride alongside hundreds of fellow Legends Riders through the beautiful Black Hills, ending up at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip for a special riders-only reception with complimentary food, drinks and special live memorabilia auction. To highlight the evening’s festivities, the Buffalo Chip will treat Legends Riders to a doubleheadliner concert under the stars at the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling™. This year’s
Lichterphoto.com Photos
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 22
featured artist for the evening is Zac Brown Band. The Legends Ride® is truly iconic, with past riders including Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Orange County Choppers’ Paul Teutel, Sr., Big & Rich’s Big Kenny, movie heartthrob Kristy Swanson, and Arlen, Corey and Zach Ness of Ness Motorcycles. This highprofile, celebrity appeal has been featured on CMT, the National Geographic Channel, the Tonight Show, FX Network and the Travel Channel, as well as countless print, online and newspaper articles. If you want to meet the stars, ride, party and help raise money for two worthwhile charities, then the Sturgis Legends Ride® is for you! This event has sold out every year, so act now and reserve your spot amongst the Legends! To see the 2014 roster of celebrity riders and join the Ride that Rocks™ visit www.LegendsRide.com or call (605)-347-9000.
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 23
Buffalo Chip Photo
There has always been something special about Spearfish Canyon. It is just one of those scenic splendors of America that you really feel a part of. Each season offers its own unique beauty that even the locals never get tired of seeing.
Black Hills Pioneer Photo
Geologically, Spearfish Canyon is more than 60 million years in the making. Wind, water, ice and snow all played their part. It wasn’t until the mid 1870's that European settlers found their way into this wonderland. By the gold rush of 1876 there
was a rough trail established that came out of Wyoming, crossed the Canyon at what is now Elmore where it continued east up over the steep ridges to Deadwood. In 1876, the Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage entered the Hills at Newcastle and followed Spearfish Creek southeast to a stage stop that became known as Cheyenne Crossing. Here the stage changed to eight horse teams to make the long uphill trip to Lead and on to Deadwood. By 1891, the first trail along the bottom of the Canyon was made of steel and wooden ties as the Grand Island and Wyoming Central narrow gauge railroad was built to connect Spearfish with Lead and Deadwood. With its sharp curves, lots of bridges and trestles, it provided a ride that is even hard to imagine today. With the railroad in operation the McLaughlin Tie and Timber Company set up a logging camp complete with a saw mill on the site where Latchstring Inn now stands. With plenty of Ponderosa Pine timber close at hand, the camp soon grew into a little community. By 1885, the railroad timetable was calling the spot Savoy. In 1906, the saw mill shut down and the buildings were quickly turned into a resort for the many hunters and tourists that were coming in on the train. In 1919, the property was purchased and the lodge was named Latchstring Inn. For the next 98 years, Latchstring Inn served as a landmark for the tourist market, but alas, the untreated log rotted and in the early 1990's Homestake Mining Company had to replace it with another log building that still
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 24
reminds visitors of those long ago days. The railroad ended its operation in the early 1920's. By 1907 Homestake Mining Company had acquired water rights in the canyon and started to build the largest hydrosystem west of the Mississippi River. The project was complete by 1917 and served Homestake, Lead, Deadwood and Spearfish. When Homestake closed in 2001, the system was sold to the City of Spearfish and is still in operation today. Spearfish Canyon offers more than 11,000 acres of natural beauty. There are five spectacular nature hiking trails within easy reach from Latchstring Inn. In the winter, Spearfish Canyon is a hub of well groomed snowmobile trails that will take you to places that not many get to see. Black Hills Pioneer Photo
Spearfish Falls, Black Hills Studios Photo
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 25
Thousands of visitors enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills each year due, in large part, to our great forests of Ponderosa Pine. Currently the forest is going through a serious cycle of Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. These bugs drill holes into the tree that kills the tree, providing the reason you see so many brown instead of green trees. These critters can never be totally removed from the forest. Their main controlling enemy is very cold weather. Temperatures must drop to 20 to 30 degrees below zero for several days to either kill them, or at least affect their reproduction. We have had very little weather of that type in the Black Hills for many years.
A second controlling factor of the Mountain Pine Beetle is the density of the forest. With too many trees it makes it easier for these airborne bugs to travel from tree to tree. A much thinner stand of timber slows down the process but does not totally stop it. For the past 20 years or more the forest has not been properly thinned because of aggressive conservation groups that have greatly limited the number of trees harvested. Not only does this leave us with a dying forest, but as the trees die and dry out, the danger of fire greatly increases. A pine tree is well known for its highly flammable pitch. When burning reaches extremely high
temperatures, add a little wind and you have an unstoppable forest fire that creates destruction to a forest that will take at least 100 years to replace. As you travel through the Black Hills help preserve our forest by being careful with fire.
Mark Watson, Black Hills Pioneer Photos
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 26
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Since the 1800s, Belle Fourche has served travelers as a junction connecting Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. The Tri-State Museum pays tribute to the region’s western heritage and culture. • The Emporium – featuring store displays from yesteryear • Military Display – from Civil War through Desert Storm • Cowboy, Ranch, and Early Cattle Companies • Sheep and Wool Exhibit • Railroad and Minnesela Display • History of Pioneers, Doctors, Attorneys • Butte County Bank Robbery History – featuring the Sundance Kid & the Hole in the Wall Gang
FREE D A MISSION
• Dinosaurs and Fossils of the Tri-State Area • Actual 1876 “Buckskin” Johnny Spaulding cabin • Black Hills Roundup Rodeo History - 95 years of history
Museum Gift Shop
Center of the Nation Memorabilia • Souvenirs • Clothing Books of local interest and history
415 5th Ave., Belle Fourche, SD • 605-723-1200
tristatemuseum@rushmore.com • www.thetristatemuseum.com Hours – Summer: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm • Sat 9am-5pm; Sun Noon-4pm Off-season: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm • Closed Saturday & Sunday
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 31
The Black Hills has a pantheon of well know western figures. These larger than life characters added much to the glamour and excitement that started with the Gold Rush of 1876. Of course the list has to start with Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. The best thing Wild Bill accomplished for the area was to get shot in Deadwood. Seth Bullock was the first sheriff of Deadwood, but his contributions to the growth of the Black Hills included starting the town of Belle Fourche, being a U.S. Marshall, and serving as the first manager of the Black Hills Forest, to mention just a few. George Hearst bought the Homestake claim and built it into the largest gold mine in the world. By the 1880's and ‘90's we can add Poker Alice, Deadwood Dick and a little prospector just 5 feet 3 inches tall that would became just as well know in his time as any we
named. He was Johnny Perret, a young gold prospector that wandered into the Black Hills in 1883 and earned the name of Potato Creek Johnny because he staked his claim on Potato Creek just over the hill from Spearfish Canyon in the Tinton country. Johnny loved nature, prospecting, solitude and knew one day he was going to strike it rich. It took 46 years, but on May 15, 1929 as Johnny was panning for gold he saw a bright yellow spot in the pan. Johnny’s fingers closed down tightly upon it. He knew the feel and let out a screeching war-whoop. He had found the largest gold nugget ever to be found in the Black Hills. He knew gold and knew that this was the pure metal. He rushed to his cabin and weighed the nugget on his gold scale. He could hardly believe his eyes when he saw that it weighed seven and threequarters ounces. It measured
four and a third inches long and was two and three-fourths inches wide at its largest point. Gold was worth eighteen dollars an ounce, putting the value at $139.00, but he was not about to sell. This nugget was going to be a part of Black Hills history. The next morning he took his find to Deadwood to show it off. As the news spread Johnny suddenly became famous, people wanted to meet him, shake his hand, buy him a drink and of course, see his nugget. The Deadwood Chamber of Commerce knew a good thing when the saw it and Johnny became Deadwood’s poster boy. Tourists by the thousands were delighted by the tales the little old prospector told. Johnny’s blue eyes twinkled as he spun his tall tales and nobody knew for sure which were true and which were windies. As Johnny’s fame spread he traveled to all the big cities in the nation, including the World’s Fair in New York, the World’s Fair in San Francisco, even Canada, where thousands cheered him as he appeared in parades with his little wheelbarrow, gold pan and shovel. Johnny was referred to as the Ambassador from the Dakotas, he enjoyed his popularity and all that went with it. However, Johnny did exchange his patched jeans and old white shirt for a fancy suit of buckskin. He never acquired any degree of wealth, but upon his death in 1947 in Deadwood at the age of seventy six, hundreds jammed to full capacity the Masonic Temple where the last rites were held for this special, happy little man. Today he rests on Mount Moriah and his nugget is lovingly cared for at the Adams Museum in Deadwood.
Black Hills Studios Photo
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 32
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Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 34
• • • • •
Motorcycles ATVs Generators Team Apparel Parts Shipped UPS Daily • Midwest Largest Parts Inventory
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 35
600 S. Sandborn, Mitchell
605-996-6282 800-234-1969
Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week® - 92 Years Strong & Riding Towards 100! June 13th-21st, 2015 We only get better with time! Help us celebrate the World’s Oldest Motorcycle Rally® in Laconia, NH from June 13th-21st, 2015. For our 92nd Anniversary, you can expect the ultimate riding experience around the Lakes Region and all of New Hampshire as our residents and businesses welcome you. In Laconia…We Ride® and because of this grand legacy of riding, hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists from throughout North America and beyond have been making a yearly pilgrimage to New Hampshire since 1916. While a lot has changed over nine decades, Laconia Motorcycle Week® still offers an unmatched riding and rally experience. Be prepared to enjoy New Hampshire (and even greater New England) as you depart from shores of the state’s largest lake (Lake Winnipesaukee, covering 69 square miles) in the morning and have the option to ride scenic roads through the majestic White Mountains, awe-inspiring Seacoast, or through the quaint and picturesque towns in the southern and western part of our beautiful state. After racking up the miles, enjoy the view as the sun goes down with some food, drinks, and live music.
New Hampshire – home to America’s Original Riding Rally™
If you’re not sure where to begin and what events to take part of, the Laconia Rally News™ and Official Website of the Rally: laconiamcweek.com have your up-to-date schedule of events with detailed information on the major motorcycle enthusiast events throughout the area. Start your rally off with the Official Kick-Off to Laconia Motorcycle Week® with the Naswa’s Peter Makris Memorial Run and join a few hundred of your motorcycle pals for a great cause. Later in the day you can hit the street scene at Weirs Beach and find hundreds of vendors and entertainment. Check out the famous Lakeside Avenue, which will be packed with music, vendors, build-offs and contests to keep you busy day and night. While on Lakeside Ave, be sure to visit RALLY HEADQUARTERS on the BOARDWALK, next to the Pier to get all your official souvenirs, updated information and to pick up your FREE Official Laconia Passport™ to commemorate your trip and earn an exclusive souvenir further incentivizing the need to ride! All motorcycles are welcomed at Laconia Motorcycle Week® and you’ll see every kind of bike you can imagine – and some you can’t even imagine - lining Lakeside Avenue and traveling the scenic roads of New Hampshire. In addition to free demo rides from all the major brands of motorcycles including Victory, Indian, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, and of course, Harley-Davidson. Looking for a rush?? Thrillseekers can enjoy all of the speed and action of motorcycle flat track, short track, SuperBike, and Vintage races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. For those looking to enjoy the
camaraderie of an organized ride; there are daily (free!) Gypsy Tours from Rally Headquarters, leaving right from Rally Headquarters on Lakeside Avenue, in front of the boardwalk, which will take you on scenic tours throughout NH and beyond! Of course, there’s also dozens of other guided tours including charity rides and poker runs throughout the week to keep you entertained and on your bike! Laconia Motorcycle Week® is truly a statewide rally that is embraced by New Hampshire Travel & Tourism, state and local officials, residents and business owners. No matter where you travel or stay during Laconia Motorcycle Week®, you will experience New Hampshire’s famous hospitality in restaurants, lounges and businesses. New and returning riders can find a schedule of events, lodging information and anything they ever needed to know about Laconia Motorcycle Week® by visiting www.laconiamcweek.com or calling 603-366-2000. Detailed information about many of the events can also be found in the Laconia Rally News™. Create memories for a lifetime at Laconia Motorcycle Week® - America’s Original Riding Rally® and help show the world that In Laconia…We Ride®! Ride Safe and Keep Away from the Centerline! Laconia Motorcycle Week® gives great appreciation to all of our sponsors and especially the State of New Hampshire for their large financial support of our rally each year. Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week® is presented by Progressive Insurance, Budweiser, Hot Leathers, and AMSOIL. Corporate sponsors include: Twisted Tea, Pepsi, the Lobster Pound, J&P Cycles, 104.9 The Hawk, and SYSCO.
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 36
• Cowboys, Ranch Life, History of Rodeo • Gold Mining, Forestry & Bentonite • American Indian Culture & Artifacts • Authentic Antique Wagons & Farm Implements • Furnished Log Cabin & Rural Schoolhouse • Live Longhorn Cattle • Book Store & Gift Shop • Live Historical Programs throughout the year in our 200-Seat Theatre
RV Park/Campground • Cabins • Hot Showers • Laundry • Good Food
Take advantage of our FREE • Bar with COLD Beer private shuttle to town! • Tent Camping • Big Rigs Welcome • Non Traffic Side of Town
We are located south of Sturgis at Exit 34 just off I-90.
1-866-776-0758
David & Kathy Driggs, Family Owned & Operated 12927 Katmandu Ln., Sturgis, SD 57785 Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 37
Today, as you stand on the viewing platform or walk the President Trail, you see Mount Rushmore, the largest and most impressive sculpture in the world. Many people think only of what a wonderful and inspiring image this completed work represents. But, the vision of Gutzon Borglum did not travel an easy road to completion. Few people know about the very stormy events behind the scenes that could have brought the project to a close. Borglum, like most highly talented artists, set his goals high, and not much thought was given to the minor detail of having enough money to reach those goals. After all, Borglum was an artist and his work
was far more important than finances. His dream was to create four presidential figures, carved to the waist, on a mountainside. He also wanted a giant carved tablet explaining American values and he wanted a Hall of Records that would hold the archives of our great nation. The work of carving Mount Rushmore was governed by the Mount Rushmore Commission’s Executive Committee, headed by Chairman John Boland. It was their function to keep Borglum’s expenditures within the funding available and Borglum could not see the necessity of that. The artist was not about to curb his creative ventures by a penny-pinching financier. Senators Peter Norbeck
and Doane Robinson, both members of the Commission, used the utmost tact and diplomacy to keep both men satisfied. Being a practical man, Norbeck often sided with Boland but managed to calm Borglum’s ruffled feelings to keep the project on track. Remember, this work was going on during the great depression of the 1930's. In 1932, Norbeck had six conferences with South Dakota Governor, Warren E. Green before finally managing to obtain $50,000 for Mount Rushmore from federal relief funds allocated to South Dakota. This money narrowly averted an impending major crisis on the project. By 1933, differences between Borglum and the Commission
Rushmore Historical Society Photo
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 38
reached such great proportions that Norbeck, William Williamson and Boland went to Borglum’s studio to resolve the problems or stop the project. Tired of the continual controversy, Norbeck flatly told Borglum that he had no business assuming the management of the business of the commission and was incapable of doing so. The carving of the tablet was eliminated from the project, but Borglum still blamed Boland for all the problems. In 1934, Norbeck again repeated his heroic efforts to secure financing for the project. He worked with and supported President Roosevelt on his relief appropriation which gave him entry to the Presidential office to seek support for the carving of Mount Rushmore. Norbeck and Senator Bulow had been pushing for a $200,000 appropriation for Mount Rushmore but were receiving little support. Norbeck brought the bill to Roosevelt’s attention and with his support, the bill passed in a few weeks, alleviating a very serious situation in the Commission’s bank account. Norbeck always praised heartily the sculptor’s artistic work and could see beyond their problems. But the carving needed to be completed so Mount Rushmore could become the greatest attraction in South Dakota.
Rushmore Historical Society Photos
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 39
In 2014 South Dakota proudly celebrates 125 years of statehood. We want to share with you some very strange and unique events before and after South Dakota became the 39th or maybe the 40th star on our nation’s flag. North Dakota and South Dakota achieved statehood on the same day. On November 2, 1889 when President Benjamin Harrison was ready to sign the proclamation, he took steps to see that neither of the states could claim priority over the other in the matter of time of admission. The president’s secretary placed the two proclamations under a paper, shuffled them back and forth so no
one knew which was which, and left only the line for the president’s signature exposed. When the president had signed the proclamations, his secretary sent an identical telegram to governors of both new states informing them of President Harrison’s action. South Dakota and North Dakota are the first instance in United States history in which two states were admitted as twins. But this was only one chapter in Black Hills history. In 1876, a movement originated for the Black Hills and the Bear Lodge Mountains just northwest of the Black Hills in today’s state of Wyoming, to join and become the Territory of Lincoln. Within the
South Dakota Tourism Photo
area of this new territory rested vast mineral, oil and timber resources. In the 45th U.S. Congress on October 29, 1877 Senators Saunders of Nebraska, Spencer of Alabama and Piper of California introduced a bill to establish the Territory of Lincoln. The bill was referred to the Committee on Territories. The Bill was amended, debated, and passed through many committees in Congress for three years with no real action taken and it finally just faded away. The issue did not die out completely with the inaction of Congress. Fifty-seven years later, in 1934, a proposal was made to obliterate the state line between Wyoming and South Dakota and invite Black Hills residents to secede from the state of South Dakota and join Wyoming. Mr. Walte Schoonmaker of Wyoming wrote: “We hear that you Black Hills freeholders are having a
hard time being a part of South Dakota, so why not become part of Wyoming where you will be appreciated? Moreover, we have oil for hard surfaced roads and you have the gold, so let’s go.” The reference to roads hit a sore spot with Black Hills residents who had been asking the state legislature for more good roads for several years. A.A. Coburn, president of the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, supported the idea writing, "The section of the country from which we draw our tourists is Wyoming. The complaint in the Black Hills is that the section, while contributing heavy taxes, particularly through the great Homestake gold mine in Lead, receives insufficient return in the form of good roads.” The debate raged hot and heavy for several months, but it could not generate any real political traction and it too just faded away.
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 40
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 41
Your visit to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is generally met with warm, sunshiny days and refreshingly cool evenings. The average daytime temperature is about 82 degrees. However, many of you will remember the winter of 2013-14 for its cold, snow and ice, especially those of you from the East. The Black Hills has also provided its residents with many a memorable weather moment. Because of our altitude, we often experience great swings of weather. Take for example, 7:32 am January 22, 1943 in Spearfish. It was a typical cold winter day with the sun shining and the temperature a brisk 4 degrees below zero. In just two minutes, the temperature rose to 45 degrees above zero, an amazing swing of 49 degrees! This great change caused many windows in buildings and even cars to shatter. The phenomenon was caused when a frontal boundary separating extremely cold Arctic air from warmer Pacific air rolled like an ocean wave over the northern and eastern slopes of the Black Hills. Just two hours later, it plunged from 54 degrees back to 4 degrees below zero. That was a 58 degree change in only 27 minutes!
In Rapid City on this same day, the downtown temperature was 5 degrees above zero at 9:20 am and in just 20 minutes it jumped 49 degrees to register 54 degrees. So, you think you had snow last winter? In the Northern Black Hills in the first week of October, 2013 we received 61 inches of heavy, wet snow in less than 24 hours. The damages ran into the millions of dollars. The Northern Black Hills can normally expect about 200 inches of snow each year. However, on March 1, 1998 in the Mile High City of Lead, it started to snow and snow and snow. At the end of five days, there was a total of 103 inches! The real shocker, in Rapid City, just 50 miles east, the total snowfall from the storm was one and a half inches. Guess that’s why they call Rapid City “The Banana Belt.” On June 9, 1972 at noon, the Rapid City National Weather Service predicted isolated thunderstorms with three quarter inch hail and winds up to 60 miles per hour. By 5 pm, rain was reported at Pactola Reservoir. At 6:15 pm, State Radio reported 12 inches of flood water over the highway in Boulder Canyon, west of Sturgis. By 6:30 pm, three
inches of rain had already fallen at Pactola Dam and Rapid Creek was rising rapidly. At 7:15 pm, a flash flood warning was issued by the Weather Service for the Northern Black Hills. At 7:45 pm, Box Elder Creek was flooding, two dams upstream had broken and low-lying areas of Nemo had been evacuated. At 8 pm, the Weather Service expanded the flood warning to include Rapid Creek and Box Elder Creek. At 10:30 pm, Rapid City Mayor, Don Barnett, urged immediate evacuation of low-lying areas. Canyon Lake Dam failed at 10:45pm, adding to the flood waters rushing through Rapid City. By 12:15 am, a flood crest estimated at 50,000 cubic feet per second reached downtown Rapid City. As much as 15 inches of rain fell in some areas, with an average of 10 inches over a 60 square mile area. During the flood, water rose as fast as 3 1/2 feet in 15 minutes. The final count was 238 killed, 3,000 injured, 1,335 homes and 5,000 cars destroyed. Gone were 15 of 23 bridges over Rapid Creek. Yes, the Black Hills does offer extreme weather from time to time. So let’s just enjoy the great weather we have today.
Spearfish, SD, Black Hills Studios Photo
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Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 43
Custer State Park contains 127,000 acres, making it the second largest State Park in the United States. Its wide range of unique scenery, wildlife, lakes, streams, mountains and canyons were largely made possible by South Dakota’s “Prairie Statesman” Peter Norbeck. Roads were built that construction engineers thought could not be built. The Park received its official start on July 1, 1919. Over the next 30 years, the park became among other things a wild life preserve. Today the park boasts a herd of 1,500 buffalo, elk, mountain sheep and goats, deer, and even bobcats. In 1920, a stately Game Lodge was constructed and it still serves the public today with hotel and restaurant facilities. The Guest Book includes President Calvin Coolidge, who made
Custer State Park his summer White House in 1927. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was made welcome in 1953. He spoke to the Young Republicans at the park’s Coolidge Inn. Days later he dedicated Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City. Hollywood became enchanted with the rugged beauty of the Park and produced five films there. In 1950, Tomahawk; War Bonnet in 1952; Chief Crazy Horse, 1953; the Last Hunt, 1955 and How the West Was Won in 1961. Within the park’s boundaries is another very historic site, the Gordon Stockade. John Gordon brought the first wagon train of gold seekers to the Black Hills. This action was illegal, but still they built the stockade and spent the winter of 1875-76. This group also brought Annie Talent, the first white woman
The Needles, South Dakota Tourism Photo
into the Blacks Hills. Another surprising attraction within the park is the Black Hills Play House. For almost 70 years the theater has brought a touch of Broadway to the West, with top flight productions.
The “Wild Life Tour” is an experience that allows you to see up-close the many different animals that live in Custer State Park. But the real show of shows is the annual Buffalo Round-up, held each fall.
Silvan Lake, South Dakota Tourism Photo
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Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 45
It was Sunday June 27, 1897 and the cattle town of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, with a population of seven hundred was really tired after three straight days of celebrating the ”Black Hills Soldiers and Sailors Reunion.” More than 2,000 people had traveled from far and wide to see old friends and comrades, take in the horse races, riding matches, dances, band concerts, parades, picnics and of course, the obligatory speeches. The night before, six would-be outlaws from the Hole-in-the-Wall country of Wyoming camped 6 miles east of Belle Fourche. These weren't your run-of-the-mill cowboys. Kid Curry was the leader. Others included the Sundance Kid, Flat-Nose George, Walter Putney, Lonny Logan and Tom O’Day. This group, in another few months, will be joined by Butch Cassidy, forming the infamous Butch Cassidy’s “Wild Bunch”. Plans had been made to rob the Butte County Bank, which was the only bank in the county. At the time, it seemed like a good idea. Belle Fourche was isolated, and vast herds of cattle were being shipped by railroad almost every week, so its bank would be
full of cash. Plus, there should be thousands of extra dollars because of the celebration. By the way, this was their first attempt at holding up a bank. Tom O’Day was to ride into Belle Fourche that night, check things out and return before midnight with information on the town. He left but he did not return. Why? Nobody knew. The next morning Kid Curry decided to rob the bank anyway. Mounted on quality, stolen horses, the five drifted into town alone or in pairs. Each had their assigned jobs. Lonny Logan and Walt Putney were to stay out of sight behind the bank. The Sundance Kid was to sit in the saddle by a side street hitch rail while Flatnose George and Kid Curry dismounted and left their horses beside the rail. Main Street was deserted and the wind blew a cloud of dust into the air. At ten minutes to nine, the two walked into the bank, where they saw Arthur Marble, cashier and Harry Ticknor, teller behind the counter, four local citizens waited to be served. Reverend Clough had fifty dollars to deposit and Sam Arnold had a bag of cash from the Wide Awake store. Flatnose George told
them to drop their cash in his grain sack. Kid Curry ordered Ticknor to get the cash kept under the counter and put it into the sack. Ticknor lowered his arms to reach for the money on the lower shelf, but his hands quickly came up holding a gun. He pointed it at Kid Curry and fired. But surprisingly, the cartridge failed to fire. “I’d ought to kill you” Kid Curry said, “but I don’t want to kick up a fuss. Now give me the money!" “There’s no money yet, it’s in the vault that is set to open at 9:15” Mr. Marble said. “We will wait” said Kid Curry, “ but, keep those hands in the air.” Across the street, Alanson Giles was visiting over the store counter with a hardware customer when he glanced out the window. Giles saw a pair of hands sticking above one of the blinds. “I think someone is robbing the bank.” He walked across the street to investigate. As he opened the glass door of the bank, Flatnose said, “Come on in mister”. Instead, Giles slammed the door and dashed across the street, shouting, “They’re robbing the bank! They’re robbing the bank!” Flatnose fired his gun through the glass door but missed.
Belle Fourche, SD, 1925, Butte County Library Photo
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 46
The shot was the signal for the bandits’ diversionary action. Lonny and Walt dashed into the street on horses where they were joined by the Sundance Kid in a milling maneuver with pistols blasting the sky. The intention was to make it look like drunken cowboys shooting up the town. The shots awoke Tom O’Day who had gotten drunk the night before and fell asleep in a bar just two doors from the bank. Dazed, but aware the holdup was in progress, he ran outside and jumped on the nearest horse to join in the divergence. But the horse he mounted was not used to gun fire and bucked him off. Kid Curry and Flatnose ran out of the bank, mounted their horses and headed out of town, followed by the rest of the gang. First to take pursuit of the robbers was Joe Miller, a blacksmith. Joe picked up a rifle, mounted a handy horse and galloped after the bandits. Meanwhile, Frank Bennett got a rifle and climbed to the roof of his flour mill. From that vantage point, he fired on the retreating riders and killed the horse Joe Miller was riding. This put Miller out of the pursuit. The robbers headed west over Sundance Hill toward Wyoming. On June 28th, Sheriff Fuller and his posse caught up with the gang and captured them. The prisoners were transported to Deadwood where they were charged with bank robbery. On the night of October 31, 1897, the gang escaped with the exception of Tom O’Day and Walter Putney. The latter pair came to trial on March 31, 1898 and put up such a convincing claim that they were drifting cowboys at the celebration in Belle Fourche that the jury found them not guilty.
South Dakota Tourism Photo
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Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 50
Best Lil’ Steakhouse in Sturgis! From Burgers to Steaks, Rosco’z Takes the Cake! • Family Owned and Operated since 1994 • Daily Lunch Specials 11-2 • Homemade Soups & Desserts
We Raise Our Own Black Angus Beef!
976 Lazelle St., Sturgis, SD • 720-7608 • Open Daily 11am • www.roscozbar.com
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Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 53
It was called the “Roaring 20's” and with good reason. The 1920's was a decade of coming of age for America with building, growing, reaching out to new horizons, new excitement and entertainment. A time of music, jazz, blues and big bands had everyone dancing. It was an age of flight; Charles Lindberg flew solo across the Atlantic. Business was expanding and everyone fell in love with movie stars. Clara Bow became the “It” girl. Radio came of age, offering entertainment right in your living room. But most important, it was the age of the automobile. America was on the move with a more reliable vehicles and better roads to drive on. The Black Hills of South Dakota wanted to show off their natural beauty to this new breed of traveler and bring a wave of economic growth to the region. Doane Robinson had a vision of American heroes like Lewis, Clark, Fremont, Buffalo Bill and others carved in Black Hills granite that
South Dakota Tourism Photos
would draw tourists to the area. World renowned sculptor Gutzon Borglum was contacted in Georgia where he was busy with his first giant rock carving on Stone Mountain and was asked to look over the possibilities. His report was positive; he had selected Mount Rushmore in the central hills on which to carve four giant busts of American presidents that best symbolized the ideas and growth of our new nation. It was in the summer of 1927 that President Calvin Coolidge accepted an invitation to make the State Game Lodge in the Black Hills his summer headquarters. For thirteen weeks, the President conducted the nation’s business from his offices at Rapid City High School, and held official meetings and entertained many dignitaries and government officials at the Game Lodge. The Black Hills White House press coverage truly put the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park on the front page of every newspaper in America. August 10, 1927 was chosen as the day President Coolidge would dedicate the start of work at Mount Rushmore. This was the first major address by the President in the Black Hills. It was a warm summer day as the crowd started to gather in Keystone. Some tried to drive on a new road from Keystone to the mountain, but it was under construction at the time and most people took their basket lunches and blankets and hiked the two miles. President Coolidge chose another means of getting to the mountain, one in keeping with his newly acquired western image. He would ride horseback, along with his group of friends and Secret Service people. Wearing a suit, over-sized cowboy hat and western boots, he cut quite
a figure leading his party up the valley to the ceremonies. Around 1500 people attended the event and were treated to a series of speeches. Senator Peter Norbeck introduced the President, who spoke eloquently about the significance of this work, stating that this effort deserved the sympathy and support of the Federal Government. President Coolidge concluded by presenting Borglum with six steel drill bits with which Borglum would start the work. Gutzon Borglum gave a short response to the Presidents words. A flag raising pageant was held, which gave Borglum time to reach the top of the mountain. The crowd waited with great expectations. Gutzon was lowered over the face of Mount Rushmore where he drilled six holes in the virgin granite. This was the beginning of the carving of George Washington, an event that would awaken America to this tremendous undertaking in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Borglum returned to the speaker’s platform with the six, now dusty drill bits and gave one to the President, one to Senator Norbeck, and one to Doane Robinson. The rest is history.
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 54
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 55
There is almost an endless list of great places to see in the Black Hills. But on the other hand, there is another group of special places that few tourists and even local people have an opportunity to witness. For example, the top of Devils Tower, the lake at the bottom of Wind Cave, the 8,000 foot level in the Homestake Gold Mine and the subject of this story, the Hall of Records at Mount Rushmore.
Rushmore Historical Society Photo
When sculptor Gutzon Borglum planned the Rushmore project, it included a Hall of Records. It would be a large vault carved in the granite wall behind the head of Teddy Roosevelt, 100 feet deep and 25 feet wide. Borglum said, “It is my intention that this room shall be the most complete, carefully built and studied, elaborately finished archives in the world.” Borglum never thought small. “The Hall
will house the accomplishments in science, art, literature, government, history and medicine. There will be 25 large busts of great men and women, together with one panel reserved for our own day, why and by whom the great Federal Memorial was conceived and built and the records of that work.” Borglum also had a plan “B” in mind when he stated, “maybe we could put away a time capsule and hope for its discovery.” The Hall was started and a cavern 75 feet long and 22 and half feet wide was drilled. But when Borglum died in 1941, the National Park Service suspended work on the Memorial, saying that death had stayed the hand of the artist. In 1975 the project was revived and was supported by Rushmore Superintendent Harvey Wickware and Hoadley Dean, President of the Mount Rushmore National Society. Dean said, “We of the society would like to see the Hall of Records completed. We have been urging that monies be made available for this project and that it could be completed in 1976 for the National Bicentennial, but, alas, nothing was accomplished. Gutzon’s daughter, Mary Ellis Borglum took up the crusade, but she thought her father’s plan “B”, a time capsule, was more realistic. For years she continued the struggle that literally required an Act of Congress for anything to be done at Mount Rushmore. At last, in the 1990's, she found Dan Wink, Superintendent at Rushmore and gained his support. Finally, in 2002, a teakwood box that contained all the facts of why the figures were selected and a complete account of how the Memorial was created was lowered into a steel case and sealed with a one ton granite lid. The long quest for Gutzon Borglum and his daughter, Mary Ellis was fulfilled.
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 56
Just a few of our features are: Authentic Louisiana Cooking & Gumbo! We Serve Breakfast All Day!
Ice Cold Beer, Wine & Espresso Drinks. Outdoor Seating Open 7 AM Daily
2214 Junction Ave., Sturgis • 605-561-1100
Fresh Pizza
Ice Cold Beer
st
910 1 Street Sturgis
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 57
Hulett, Wyoming was settled in the 1880’s in a pretty little valley on the banks of the Belle Fourche River that provided water to raise cattle. The grass was plentiful; there were berries and plums, lots of wild game to keep meat on the table and all the timber they needed to build homes, barns and fences. People like Lewis M. Hulett, Dan Ruland, John Peterson, Erasmus W. Powell and about a dozen more all put down deep family roots. Ranches were established such as the Half Circle L, Bridle Bit and the Cross Anchor. The area of Hulett had that rough, wide open feeling of being free and in those early years you constructed what you needed, not so much of what you wanted. The first log house was built in 1882 and the first school was constructed in 1884 with Mrs. Lulu Belle Ruland as teacher. Folks were very proud when an official US Post Office was established in 1886 with Lewis Hulett as Postmaster. The settlement was of course named Hulett after the Postmaster. The growing little community added Wood’s Store in 1890. Hulett has always been a very happy and contented area, but it
wasn’t until May 1, 1951 when a map was drawn up and a petition signed by ninety two residents of Hulett, Wyoming did they become an officially incorporated town. What took so long, the folks aren’t sure. They knew who they were and where they were so what difference did it make. But midway through the twentieth century it seemed like the proper thing to do. The nation’s first monument, Devils Tower was established in 1906 and it is located just a few miles southwest of Hulett. With the start of the Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™ in the late 1930’s, several motorcycle tours were established. These included Mount Rushmore, Spearfish Canyon and Devil’s Tower to mention a few. So each year saw an ever growing number of bikers rolling through Hulett, either going or coming from Devil’s Tower. It was the summer of 1989 Jim Delancy, owner of Captain Ron’s Rodeo Bar, got the idea of holding a special free event for the bikers. The first year they provided one roasted hog and one band. From these humble beginnings the event, which is held on Wednesday of Rally Week, has grown into
Wyoming’s biggest backyard barbecue. Marla Waugh, now owner of the Captain Ron’s Rodeo Bar has continued the tradition, only now they roast more than ten hogs from Sturgis Meats to go with the chips, pork and beans and beer, lots of beer, more bands and several top vendors like “Spider”. With a name like that you can expect to find everything. Many tour Hulett’s free museum, a first class facility that provides a look at the rich history of the area. Mitch Mahony, Director and Curator of the facility has put together some outstanding exhibits on Devil’s Tower. Fact is, they have on display more Devils Tower artifacts than you will find at the monument itself. On Wednesday of Rally week the little town really puts on a show. They welcome the thousands of bikers from around the world in celebrating the exciting, wide open life style of the real West. Hulett is home to a top quality 18 hole golf course and a private airport. Hulett has come a long way since those pioneer days of the 1880’s, but whenever you visit, you’re greeted with a friendly smile and a big “HOWDY.”
Mitch Mahoney, Hulett Museum Director, 1998
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 58
HOWDY’S
1st Annual Bike Fest • Aug. 9, 2014 4th Annual Drag Bike/Sled “Run for the Money” • Sept. 20, 2014 South Dakota’s only NHRA sanctioned ¼ mile drag strip!
NEWMART Small Town Grocery Store
Full Service grocery store and deli Open: Mon. – Sat 7:30am – 8:00pm Sun. 9:00am – 5:00pm
Only 25 Miles north of Sturgis on Hwy 79. Avoid the traffic this rally and make your grocery shopping less stressful. Right on Main Street in downtown Newell.
219 Girard Ave., Newell, SD 57769 • 605-456-1660
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 59
605-223-9885
Visit our website for Schedule and Information www.oahespeedway.com Like us on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ oahespeedway
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 60
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 61
Honor the Ride, Build the Legacy! It’s the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame’s dream and our goal. For well over a decade we’ve offered Rally goers and other visitors to the Black Hills a unique opportunity; a chance to not only visit the home of the largest motorcycle rally in the country, but also to experience firsthand the history of the Sturgis Rally, learn about the people who helped create the sport and culture of motorcycling, and view our compelling collection of vintage motorcycles, artifacts and memorabilia.
Thousands of museum visitors have walked away with a new appreciation of and perspective on the world of motorcycling and the role motorcycles have played not only in popular culture but in the fabric of our lives. There are many stories yet to tell, many motorcycles still to learn about, and many examples to be revealed in the living and unfolding history of motorcycling. But to do these things effectively we need to grow. Our current facility is extremely limited with little room
for additional displays, galleries or teaching spaces. Imagine a larger facility with spaces for focused exhibits, more vintage artifacts and galleries detailing the role of the motorcycle in music, film, law enforcement, the military and much more. Imagine a gallery dedicated to telling the stories of Hall of Fame members and their impact on this part of motorcycle history. Imagine more space to tell the story of the great American motorcycle rally.
You’re imagining our future! Our goal is to grow the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame into a unique destination that stands alongside other prominent Black Hills destinations that promote tourism, economic development and the unique place that is the Black Hills. We’ve developed a concept drawing to give potential donors a true feel for what it is we’d like to accomplish. We want to share that with you now so you can fully appreciate our plans to Honor the Ride…Build the Legacy!
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On the Fourth of July most of my friends were at the Sturgis Drag Strip racing their cars. Big Doug was racing his ‘68 Mustang GT, and I was going to go up there on my bike. When I was ready to leave the house in Black Hawk, a big, black cloud hung over Sturgis. It was a warm, beautiful summer day so I rode the bike into Rapid to wait out the inclement weather. Pretty soon a cloud came rolling down from the west on Rimrock Hwy., aka Hwy. 44, so I went south on Hwy. 79 to Hot Springs. Once there, a cloud came in from Edgemont so I headed for Custer through Wind Cave on Hwy
Black Hills Pioneer Photo
385. Once in Custer, I was greeted by a huge cloud over Harney Peak and the Needles which blocked my path on 385 to Hill City. It also prevented me from going back east on Hwy. 16 to Hwy.79 through Custer State Park. My only choice was to head west to Newcastle, WY on Hwy. 16 if I didn’t want to get soaked and possibly hailed on. So I fueled up in Custer and went to Newcastle. As I got to Newcastle, it had just rained and the roads were wet and puddles abounded. It was a real soaker, probably from the storm that was now menacing Harney Peak. Once in Newcastle, I stopped
Jody Speck
to have a smoke and plan my escape. There was another shower coming into Newcastle from the west southwest. Should I go south on Hwy. 85 to Mule Creek Junction and left on Hwy. 18 into Edgemont then back to Hot Springs, or North on Hwy. 85 into Lead/ Deadwood? I decided to head north because there were more options to fight my way back to Black Hawk, such as Hwy. 585 into Sundance, then to I-90, Spearfish Canyon to Spearfish, or Hwy 385 out of Lead to Nemo or Rim Rock Hwy. As you can tell by now, this staying dry thing has become a game between me and Mother Nature. All was well and it was nice and warm as I passed my first option of a Sundance WY escape and continued on to Lead with the storm on my H-D Softail. As I crossed over O’Neil Pass the road became wet and fog was rolling out of the ditches like dragons breath from the recent hail storm. It may have been the afternoon of the Fourth of July, but at O’Neil Pass doing 60 mph, it felt like a cold Easter morning. I passed my second option of Spearfish Canyon and the weather improved. I was still dry, although chilled in my leathers as if they were a cold suit of armor. As I crossed Terry Peak Summit Road the sun came out and blue sky abounded. I thought victory was at hand. Just before Golden Hills Resort in Lead, a bright red fire truck blocked the road. I had forgotten that Lead was having their 4th
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 64
of July parade down Main Street. They had just queued up but hadn’t quite started the procession. I was trapped! I couldn’t take Hwy. 85 into Deadwood and I couldn’t go down Main Street Lead to get to Hwy. 385. I didn’t want to go back to Spearfish Canyon because the Newcastle storm was still behind me. Since the sun was out, I decided to just sit on my bike and enjoy the parade and relish the warmth. It was a nice parade, but in the back of mind I wondered, “could I afford the time?” Once released from my bondage, I blasted down to Deadwood and took Boulder Canyon with reckless abandon on to Sturgis. On the way down I could see storm clouds over the area of the drag strip and thought of my companions. I thundered into Sturgis and decided, wisely, not to venture too close to the storm at the drags and continued my quest for Black Hawk. As I got on I-90, I could see the Newcastle storm clouds rising over the back of the front slope of the Hills. Like an ocean wave that breaks unevenly along the shoreline, it first crashed over Blucksberg, then Tilford, Piedmont, Elk Creek, all eventually inundated. Undaunted, I stayed on the throttle as the rains fell behind me. As I rumbled past the S curves marking the Black Hawk exit, I was still
inexplicably dry. I took the I-90 exit onto Sturgis Road and took a right onto Peaceful Pines Drive, roaring west headlong into the teeth of the dark monster, this mythic creature I battled on Independence Day. Suddenly, as I turned onto Timberline Drive, only two blocks from my sanctuary, the first drops of rain hit my sunglasses. Touching my visored brow, I realized it was only a flesh wound and tucking my head close to my mighty steed, we fought on. I pulled into the driveway as the sweat of the black beast sizzled and hissed on my pipes. As I flicked the kick stand down and glanced at the controls, my nemesis let loose with a crack of lightning. I had no choice but to
make a run for cover amidst a hail of icy arrows. Once inside, I gazed out the window and watched the torrent boil over the tree lined ridge. I reflected upon the day’s events as my bike furiously swatted away the first drops of rain, only to eventually succumb to them as it cooled. I had reset the odometer to zero at the beginning of the crusade, it now read 302 miles. While I stood in my slightly damp attire, not quite dry, yet not quite wet, I concluded that my bike and I had fought the heroic contest to a draw, which is more than one should expect when your opponent is Mother Nature and your battlefield a stormy Fourth of July in the Black Hills.
Black Hills Pioneer Photos
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Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 66
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is looking forward to inducting a new class of Hall of Famers and Freedom Fighters during the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals or groups who have made a long term positive impact on the motorcycle community. The Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame recognizes the commitment and sacrifices individuals across the nation and world have made to protect the rights of motorcyclists. For 2014, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame will honor one Freedom Fighter and induct six into the Sturgis Hall of Fame.
the role of Colorado Commander of the Coalition of Independent Riders – a registration of independent riders. Tiger has worked tirelessly through the state legislature to address issues of importance to motorcyclists in Colorado including funding for beginning rider training and alcohol interlocking devices for motorcycles. She has also been instrumental in implementing a Biker Day at the Capital in Colorado as a means of opening dialog between bikers and legislators.
policies, products, and marketing strategies that made HarleyDavidson one of the most recognized brands in the world. Since his retirement in 2002, Fessler has remained active in motorcycling as a member of the Hamsters Motorcycle Club. He recently wrote a book, "Rebuilding the Brand" and now travels extensively as a Keynote Speaker.
Jesse Jurrens
Clyde Fessler
systems. Today, Sturgis South Dakota based Legend Suspensions manufactures Aero Air Suspension systems and Revo coil suspension systems for all HarleyDavidson models and Off-road UTVs. Legend Suspensions are available world-wide providing a smoother ride with “on the go” adjustability, increased vehicle capability and versatility. The Offroad systems are used by the U.S. Military and countless fire and rescue operations. Legend has become known for its innovative quality products, Lifetime Warranty, and outstanding customer service. The company is a recognized leader in suspension technology.
Keith Terry
Deb “Tiger” Chandler
Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame Deb “Tiger” Chandler has been an active part of the motorcycling community for over 40 years. In partnership with the Colorado Confederation of Clubs (CCOC), she assumed
During his 25 year career at the HarleyDavidson Motor Company, Clyde Fessler played an integral role in the turnaround of the company. He served in multiple marketing positions including Director of Marketing, Vice President of General Merchandise, Vice President of Motor Accessories, and Vice President of Business Development. He was responsible for many innovative programs,
Legend Suspensions began in 1998 when Jesse Jurrens recognized the benefits an air spring could have on motorcycles and sought to develop the technology for Harley-Davidson Softail Chassis. Eventually being convinced, Gates™ Rubber Company, the leader in air spring technology, agreed to lend their patented Kevlar impregnated rubber air spring technology to the fledgling South Dakota start-up. Since that time, Jesse has continued to develop innovative suspension
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 67
An avid motorcyclist since he was 15, Keith Terry’s career actually started in the automotive industry, after which he operated a company that promoted bicycle motocross races. In 1994 Keith built his first custom motorcycle, and he’s been building them Inductees Cont. on pg. 68
Inductees Cont. from pg. 68
ever since. Keith and his wife Fran have owned Terry Components, the largest supplier of motorcycle starter motors and battery cables in the industry for 20 years. More recently, Keith – along with Chris Malo – started Baggster LLC, a company that manufactures custom conversion kits for Harley-Davidson applications. For the last three years, Keith has been in charge of the Buffalo Chip Challenge® working with Sturgis Brown High School students to build a custom bagger that is auctioned at the Legends Ride® each year.
he and Paul continued to run Truett and Osborn together until his retirement in 1997. Following his retirement from racing, Bonnie helped his son Scott who is a four time champion in Pro Drag class in AHDRA. Bonnie is well known to everyone in the drag racing world as a friend, mentor and all around good guy.
Paul Yaffe
Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. The Lodge at Deadwood in Deadwood, SD. Sponsors for this year’s breakfast: • Black Hills Harley-Davidson • The Buffalo Chip Campground® • Iron Trader News • Bikernet.com. Breakfast tickets are available for a $35 donation tables of eight for $300. Tickets can be purchased
Bonnie Truett
by calling the Museum at 605.347.2001 or they can be purchased online at
Ask anyone in the drag racing world about who’s had a broad impact on the sport and Bonnie Truett’s name will likely come up. Bonnie started racing in the 1960s, and was constantly working to get more out of his drag bikes. He started by changing the flywheels in his own Sportster, but eventually he and his partner Paul Osborn started to create and manufacture their own flywheels, frames, cams, cylinders and rods. Bonnie continued to race until 1984, and
For over 20 years, Paul Yaffe has created custom motorcycles, working on as many as 12 commissioned bikes in any given year. Many a Paul Yaffe Original bikes have graced the pages of motorcycle magazines in the U.S. and abroad. As part of his creative process, Paul often engineers new and exciting parts for one of his custom creations. Often those parts are in demand from others in the custom-bike building world. So, Paul created his Bagger Nation brand of custom parts and accessories for touring motorcycles. Paul’s contributions do not end with the motorcycle industry, though. He’s well-known as an advocate and fundraiser for children’s charities both in Phoenix and in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
www.sturgismuseum.com/shop/hall-fame-breakfast
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 68
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Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 70
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Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 72
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Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 74
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Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 75
This is a view from under the LUX dark matter detector during its construction. LUX uses photo multiplier tubes to detect faint interactions in liquid xenon.
The Sanford Underground Research Facility (Sanford Lab), located at the former Homestake gold mine in Lead, S.D., is the deepest underground laboratory in the United States. The Lab hosts several competitive, worldleading physics experiments nearly a mile underground; touches the lives of thousands of students and teachers every year; and has a huge impact on the regional economy. Homestake Mining Company closed the mine in 2003 and donated the property three years later to South Dakota for use as an underground laboratory. That same year, philanthropist T. Denny Sanford donated $70 million and the state Legislature committed $40 million to the project. The state also received a $10 million HUD Grant to rehabilitate Homestake mine. Current funding for Sanford Lab operations comes from the Department of Energy.
Sanford Underground Research Facility Photos
The Davis Campus is near the Yates Shaft on the 4850-foot level. The corridor on the left leads to the laboratory, the shaft is on the right.
World-leading research Physics research is not new to Sanford Lab. In the mid-1960s, nuclear chemist Ray Davis installed a detector at the 4850 Level to research neutrinos. His experiment earned Davis a share of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physics. Today, the Davis Campus on the 4850 Level houses two major experiments: the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment, which is searching for dark matter; and the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR (MJD) experiment, which is looking for a rare form of radioactive decay. LUX has published an analysis of its first data set, which has made a big impact in the race to detect dark matter. The first data from the MJD experiment is expected in early 2015. A third major experiment is in the planning stages. The Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment is a joint project between Fermilab in Batavia, IL, and Sanford Lab. The estimated construction cost for facilities and experiment hardware based in South Dakota is $275 million and the DOE has committed $26 million to the project this year alone. When completed in 2023, LBNE will shoot a beam of neutrinos through the earth from Fermilab, 800 miles away, to an enormous detector underground at Sanford Lab. The experiment will collect data well into the 2040s. Many disciplines benefit from access to an underground facility dedicated to scientific research. Overall, there are 15 active groups at the Lab conducting research in the fields of biology, engineering, geology and physics. Fourteen of those groups include students and faculty from South Dakota universities and colleges.
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 76
Education and Outreach Sanford Lab seeks to inspire students, teachers and the general public to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through a variety of education and outreach programs. Since 2009 more than 7,000 students and 1,500 teachers have participated in workshops, field trips and after school programs, while more than 13,000 members of the general public have attended presentations around the state and the Lab’s annual science festival, Neutrino Day. Economic impact Sanford Lab has contributed greatly to the state’s economy. The Lab’s activities support 159 jobs in the state. Since 2004, it has spent over $120 million in South Dakota and places an emphasis on working with small, regional businesses. And finally, the Lab offers a variety of paid internships to students from South Dakota universities, allowing those students to gain valuable handson experience in STEM fields and remain in the state. For more information about the experiments at Sanford Lab, go to www.sanfordlab.org.
The Large Underground Xenon dark matter detector is suspended in a tank of 72,000 gallons of ultra-pure water.
Scientists building the Majorana Demonstrator experiment assemble detectors inside nitrogen filled glove boxes.
Sanford Underground Research Facility Photos
The Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead S.D. is located in the former Homestake gold mine.
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Technicians in the fast-growing occupation of outdoor power sports are in demand all across the country. Students in the MTI Power Sports Technology program get experience learning service and repair of these high-powered machines in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Check out the program, find your career!
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 79
If you’re one of those people who like to take a ride that will allow you to get away from it all and look for some of the early history of gold mining in the Black Hills, then this story is for you. By the way, not to worry, the road is paved and it is a beautiful ride. Head south on Highway 385 between Deadwood and Lead. At Brownsville you turn left and that will put you on Nemo Road. From here on, you will follow Elk Creek south east. If you look across the little valley next to the timber line you will see an old narrow gauge railroad bed. This was the Black Hills Fort Pierre railroad that ran from Lead to Nemo hauling timber for the Homestake Gold Mine. In 1876 there were lots of placer claims along Elk Creek that paid well. From the placer work the prospectors started to drive tunnels into the hillside and dig shafts,
a few reaching 1000 feet down. Little towns sprang up like Allerton, Anthony, Bucks, Beaver City, Quartz City and many more, but few lasted more than a year or two. About 2 to 3 miles from Brownsville on the Nemo Road you will find a little scattering of houses in a large flat area. This was the town of Roubaix. Here, in 1878, the Delaney brothers started developing a mine that had a one stamp mill that was making between $69 to $100 per day. It grew to become the largest and longest producing gold mine in the area. The mine over the years changed ownership several times and each time the mine got a new name. It started out as the Uncle Sam, then the Cloverleaf. Later it was just the Roubaix Mine. In August of 1885 a grand opening of a beer hall was held, with a dance to follow. At the time, the town with over 300 people was one of the “liveliest
in the Hills.” By 1890 the mine had a 60 stamp mill in operation. In a six year period the mine earned over one million dollars. By 1903 the town had a church, hospital, library, school, saw mill, tennis club, miners union hall and best of all, it had electricity. However, in 1905 water started to flood the mine. This in turn caused several cave-ins and it was all downhill from then. The town of Nemo was home for many years to the Homestake Saw Mill, and has a long and exciting history of its own. It is a great place to stop for lunch and something to drink. If you continue south on the Nemo Road, you will find picnic grounds and even a grave of one of Custer’s men that died during his expedition into the Black Hills in 1874 when gold was first discovered. Overall, this trip into time is only about 50 miles long ending in Rapid City.
Black Hills Studios Photo
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Coe Meyer is another example of a visitor to the Black Hills that was captured by the beauty and business opportunities the region has to offer and has now become a businessman and resident of Sturgis. Coe Meyer is one those unique people that has had a passion for motorcycles since he was a teenager. Over the years he rode and raced motorcycles, he learned how to work on them and he started collecting them; not just two or three or ten to twenty, but three hundred bikes of all kinds. In 1990 he made the pilgrimage to Sturgis to take part in the 50th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He was thrilled by the racing activities, parades, and all the excitement the Rally had to offer. During that trip he noticed a for sale sign on an old warehouse and home. Little did he know the properties had been owned by Clarence Hoel, founder of the Jackpine Gypsies and the Sturgis Rally. Coe returned to his home in Denver, but that empty shop and home in Sturgis were still deeply embedded in his mind. One night while fast asleep he had a dream; a dream in
Christine Diers Photos
which he bought the property in Sturgis and brought it back to life. When he awoke he felt compelled to act on what the dream had suggested. The next day he flew to Rapid City, rented a car and drove to Sturgis where he purchased both properties. They served as rentals for several years. In 2006 when Meyer retired from a successful franchise business, he was finally ready to return to Sturgis and make his dream come true. He is now in the process of bringing back to life a true bike shop of the 1930’s; with the sounds, the look, and even the smells of an exciting time in Sturgis history. “Pappy” Hoel
had sold Indian Motorcycles there and repaired all makes and models. In doing so, he created a “Brotherhood of Bikers” that shared the same enthusiasm for the sport. Work is currently in progress on both buildings located at 2007 Junction Avenue. With the use of many old pictures, Coe Meyer is turning back the pages of time. He plans to have the facility in full operation by June of this year. They will be buying and selling motorcycles of all kinds, providing tours and repairing those bikes that need a little or a lot of tender love and care. In front of the Hoel home is an old cottonwood tree that has to be over two hundred years old. You can bet it looked down on the first covered wagons as they entered the foothills of the region. However, the bad snow and ice storm the Black Hills experienced last October broke off major limbs of the tree. Coe had to have it cut back so that all that remains is a giant “Y”. However, Coe has hired a top quality wood carver and he will carve the likeness of “Pappy” and Pearl Hoel, so they can continue to look over the community and watch its never ending love affair with motorcycles. Thanks to Coe Meyer, a truly impressive piece of Sturgis history will live again and add to the rich heritage of the town.
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 82
Affordable Beer & Mixed Drinks in a Relaxing Air Conditioned Retreat Featuring $9 Rally Breakfast Buffet Rally Menu available daily Rally Kreekside Karoke
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605-347-4682
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Proud Supporters of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
On I-90 Between Exit 60 & 61 • 605-342-5500
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Every day this winter you looked at it, just sitting there, wasting away. Well now it’s time to ride it and we want to see where it takes you. When you ride 100 miles or more from home snap a photo of you with your bike and submit it. Then encourage your friends to vote for it. Contest ends September 1st.
PETERSEN HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 87
RIDE THE ADVENTURE, LIVE THE DREAM!
For more than 300 years, in the United States, the newspaper was the only source of written material that allowed the distant pioneer to stay informed. In today’s world of radio, television and the internet it is hard for us to understand why someone would walk or ride horseback many miles just to get a newspaper. The first newspaper came to what is now known as South Dakota on July 2, 1859. Samuel J. Albright laboriously transported an old Washington hand-press across Minnesota from St. Paul to set it up in the brand-new pioneer settlement of Sioux Falls City on the Big Sioux River. Here, he published The Democrat, the first newspaper in the region. In 1860 the name was changed to The Northwestern Independent. Rare copies of the paper still in existence indicate that is was issued by its publisher only at intervals or when business or news events warranted it, in his opinion. Albright must have been an ingenious character that justly might be called the “Father
of South Dakota Journalism” based on the sprightly style of his paper, although it must have been edited and printed under extraordinary handicaps. West of the Missouri River, presses were hauled by wagon from Denver to publish the very first newspaper, the Black Hills Pioneer on June 8, 1876 in Deadwood. The Black Hills Pioneer is still published today, providing news coverage for the Northern Black Hills, and at 138 years, it is the oldest continuously operating business in Western South Dakota. More newspapers were published as new towns developed. In 1878 The Black Hills Journal was started by Joseph B. Gossage. He published the paper with the help of his wife for nearly 50 years. The paper, now published as the Rapid City Journal still serves western South Dakota. Other newspapers included the Whitewood Plaindealer, 1880; the Spearfish Valley Gazette, 1881; the Queen City Mail, 1889; Black Hills
Weekly and the Lead City Daily Tribune, 1881; The Lead Daily Call, 1884; and The Terry Times, 1885. More than 30 newspapers came and went as the towns did over the next 10 to 20 years. Freeman Knowles, one of the most colorful publishers of the early days, was a populist and a congressman for several years. He, like many in his profession was a crusader. A man with a cause, in his case it was the miner, the working man that was, according to Knowles, being exploited by big business. His journalism had a bombastic and vituperous tone. In the early 1900’s he published three newspapers; The Independent, The Equality, and the most well known, The Lantern. He was sued and jailed occasionally, but it never stopped his profound effort to speak for the “little guy”. Today newspapers are innovating and using technology to reach even more readers. Community newspapers are alive and well and contiue to provide a permanet record of our history.
Early Black Hills Pioneer Pressroom, Black Hills Pioneer photo
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 88
17698 SD HWY 79 Newell, SD • North on HWY 79 Stop back in time to an Old West Saloon on the prairie. Located right in the middle of a working cattle, sheep buffalo, and horse ranch. See all the antique items large and small, that were used in settling and working the land in our great country. Inside bar and lower level outside patio bar with fireplace. Little house on the prairie rustic cabins. Roping lessons, team and wagon rides everyday. Watch how a cattle ranch operates with roping, riding, and branding. Serene Newell Lake is located 1 mile from the Saloon with free public access. Many relaxing activities to do. Visit with the saloon girls and local westerners. Watch longhorn cattle and buffalo graze on the prairie as you enjoy an ice cold beverage and snack. Beautiful quiet serene ride just 30 minutes from Sturgis.
CAMPING SHOWERS CABINS BEER POP ICE DRINK FOOD
From Sturgis Famed Main Street Only 3 miles east on Hwy. 34 and 1 1/2 miles north on Hwy. 79 20446 State Hwy. 79 Sturgis, SD 57785
Toll Free: 1-877-700-IRON (4766) Phone: (605) 596-4237 Fax: (605) 596-4217
www.ironhorsecampground.com
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 89
Down through the years the Blacks Hills has seen many different kinds of men and women. Some were robbers, killers, cowboys, miners, and prostitutes; and a few left their mark in our history books. But we
have a story about a fellow you may never have heard of and yet he too made his mark. He was Sam Twitchel, editor of the Rockerville newspaper in 1877. Sam was best known for his many funny stories in the paper. Each week the
locals looked forward to his articles that always provided a good chuckle. He was a real humorist with a pen, but not with his tongue and it was rare when he could offer a quick, bright, witty retort in normal conversation. Once, at the Gaslight
Saloon, his wit did come in a sudden flash. Sam walked into the bar and ordered his favorite beverage, three fingers of Red Eye. As he put his foot on the rail and leaned on the bar, a stalwart stranger gave him a shove that roused the funny man’s ire. Sam turned about and indignantly looked at the great hulk of humanity beside him, and said, “I will give you just two minutes to apologize for your rude behavior.” The man, well over six feet tall and two hundred pounds, slowly looked down at all 5 foot four inches of Sam, from his bald head down to his shiny boots. Then, without a gesture or a smile, he said simply, “I apologize”, and walked out. As the swinging door closed shut, the excited bartender gasped and asked Sam if he know who the big man was. Sam answered that he didn’t but that it didn’t matter since he had apologized. The gent behind the bar was so flustered he could scarcely speak but he stammered out, “Why, why, why, that was John L. Sullivan the great boxer! Now what would you have done if he hadn’t apologized?” Sam’s eyes grew wide, he thought of his narrow escape, but he answered, “I would have extended his time.”
Historical Footprints Archives Photo
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 90
STURGIS DRAGWAY Race Schedule is Posted on WWW.STURGISDRAGS.COM
Present this Ad for 2 Free Spectator Entries (Excludes WMDRA Motorcycle Rally Races)
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 91
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 92
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~ 2014 Schedule of WeStern eventS ~
Bob Kusser 605-347-9822 www.fortmeademuseum.org
July 3, 4, 5 & 6 - Black Hills Roundup - Belle Fourche Ranch Rodeo followed by PRCA Rodeos. The community has celebrated this Annual Event since 1918. www.tristatemuseum.com July 4, 5, 6 - National Day of the American Cowboy and 9-State Meeting of the Great Western Cattle Trail Association at the High Plains Western Heritage Center www.westernheritagecenter.com June, July, August - Display of the Black Hills CCC Camps & S.D. Soldier's Traveling Exhibit at the Old Fort Meade Museum www.fortmeademuseum.org
Tri-State Museum
Rochelle Silva 605-723-1200 www.thetristatemuseum.com
Vore Buffalo Jump
Glen Wyatt 307-283-3581 www.vorebuffalojump.org
Spearfish Canyon Lodge
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Linda Ahlers 877-975-6343 Joleen Hart 307-643-7173 www.spfcanyon.com www.buffalojumpwyoming.com
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 93
~ To book a discount package which includes lodging and this self-guided tour, call: Black Hills Central Reservations 1-800-344-6181 or visit www.blackhillsvacations.com
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum 2014 Motorcycle Magazine pg. 94
Preserving the History of Motorcycling pg. 95