Nowhere else in the United States will you find an area so steeped in Old West folklore, art, mysticism, and lore that, the moment you arrive, your mind can’t help but shake off the illusion of pseudo-bliss gained. of modern conveniences and begin to absorb the reality of what life was really like for our 19th century ancestors.
This was life in its rawest form and only the toughest, leather-skinned men and women survived. It wasn’t easy, but it was real, and it brought a joy only a true cowboy would realize: living every moment to the fullest, constantly testing your worth, and facing your problems head-on in an environment ready to chew and spit on the weak. These people were forged from steel, relentlessly beaten by a relentless earth, and instilled with a genuine strength, strength, and happiness that you and I can only imagine.
Rated one of the five most dangerous cities in the Old West, Deadwood, South Dakota can be summed up in one word: attitude. The cowboy’s attitude was the litmus test that determined whether he would survive a confrontation or stay on the ground to feed the vultures. Could you look down at a petty curse and make it walk away with your tail between your legs? You can bet he could, if he intended to leave himself.
This is the city where the famous gunman and lawyer James “Wild Bill” Hickok was shot and killed while playing his last hand of poker, the famous Dead Man’s Hand: two black aces and two black eights. Border scout Calamity Jane roamed these deadly streets, as did Sheriff Seth Bullock.
Gold was the biological mother of this bustling city, and where gold goes, so does violence and corruption. Running through a treacherous gully full of dead wood was a stream rich in gold, not seen since the heyday of California. It attracted all the thugs and villagers from all corners of the country, eager to grab their own share of the prize. It was not uncommon for territorial disputes to be resolved with a bullet.
Tourists can still walk through the underground Broken Boot Gold Mine and see veins looted by miners more than a century ago. You can even pan for gold if that’s to your liking. And, in keeping with their gambling tradition, there are several historic gambling rooms available where you can try your luck at a hand of cards; just make sure your back is to the wall …
Located just a few miles from the town of Keystone is the famous Mount Rushmore National Monument. A grandiose conception fully realized to an even greater magnitude, these sixty-foot heads carved from the granite of the mountainside are impressive. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are testaments to the ingenuity and perseverance of the American spirit. As impressive as the sight of this massive stone sculpture is, the actual work behind its construction is even more impressive.
The initial dynamite blasting and carving began in 1927 and ended (due to a lack of federal funding) in 1941, for a total of fourteen years of grueling and grueling work, along with several tragic and dramatic deaths that are part of the course in this type. of transcendental company. This writer’s first job after graduating from high school was working on the concession located at the base of Mount Rushmore. It was a wonderful way to spend the summer, soaking up the culture and history of the Old West, and later, as a reward for our efforts, the employees were taken on a special guided tour of the top of the sculpture. Here I was allowed to stand on the precipice of Jefferson’s head and, for the first time, fully understand what it must have been like to be hanging in the air with a hammer and chisel, a few feet of wispy rope securing you against a fall. fatal to the jagged rocks below.
Not to be outdone, a few miles down the road is the Crazy Horse Memorial. Regarded as the largest mountain carving in the world, this sculpture of the Oglala Lakota Chief Crazy Horse (still in its infancy) is a tribute to the unyielding spirit of the Native American people in the face of incredible adversity. Along with the sculpture itself is an impressive Indian Museum of North American History, displaying artifacts from Native American nations from across the United States.
Travel southwest from Rapid City to Custer and you will arrive at Jewel Cave National Monument. This cave is unique to the United States for several different reasons: not only is it the second longest cave in the world (one hundred and fifty miles, with much of the labyrinthine interior still unmapped), it is also home to the most impressive collection on the planet. of crystals in the shape of a dog’s tooth, nail head and calcite spar; hence the name Jewel Cave. The tour is half a mile long, returning after a ninety-minute excursion to its pristine depths.
This is just a handful of sights and activities for you to participate in on your travels through the Black Hills of South Dakota. So Cowboy Up! and get ready for an incredible historical journey to the number one vacation destination in the old west of this country. And remember: keep your powder dry, buddy.