The Spearfish Area Historical Society has done an outstanding job of pulling in some great speakers. SAHS meets monthly and you'll find some photographs and information from more recent meetings below. Please note that this is not an official site for the society. You may click on each photo below to see a larger image.
No stranger to the Spearfish Area Historical Society -- or most South Dakotans -- Paul Higbee delved into a subject with which he had some real first-hand experience: the history of old Spearfish High School. That was the topic of our March 2009 presentation.
Thanks to Ray and Darlene Telkamp for audio recording Paul's presentation so that we could continue our regular postings of the monthly programs.
We are shy a few "old" photographs of the school. We're hopeful that some generous soul will share some from their collection. Full credit will be given. Please drop as an e-mail.
Thanks to Ray and Darlene Telkamp for audio recording Paul's presentation so that we could continue our regular postings of the monthly programs.
We are shy a few "old" photographs of the school. We're hopeful that some generous soul will share some from their collection. Full credit will be given. Please drop as an e-mail.
Here's a contemporary view of the building, which is now the site of East Elementary School. The days seem numbered for the venerable structure, since the school board has plans to build a new elementary school on the north edge of Spearfish. It would replace East Elementary.
It's always dangerous to mention names of people linked to the history of the school. Names like Joe Rigg, Ben Burris, Nina Wolspath, Charlie McClurg, Dave Clark, Martin Thompson, J. Howard Kramer, and Joe Fassbender are but a few of the names mentioned during Paul's talk. Please let us know if we've not spelled these names correctly!
Undoubtedly YOU have many names that could be added to the list.
It's always dangerous to mention names of people linked to the history of the school. Names like Joe Rigg, Ben Burris, Nina Wolspath, Charlie McClurg, Dave Clark, Martin Thompson, J. Howard Kramer, and Joe Fassbender are but a few of the names mentioned during Paul's talk. Please let us know if we've not spelled these names correctly!
Undoubtedly YOU have many names that could be added to the list.
As evidenced by the cornerstone, the old high school was dedicated on June 12, 1924.
Prior to that time, Spearfish elementary and secondary students took their classes on the campus of the old normal school, now Black Hills State University.
Interestingly, in 1925 the major classroom building at the normal school burned, so college classes were also conducted in the new school building -- along with elementary and secondary classes. It truly was a "consolidated" school!
It had been some 43 years that Spearfish was without its own stand-alone high school.
Prior to that time, Spearfish elementary and secondary students took their classes on the campus of the old normal school, now Black Hills State University.
Interestingly, in 1925 the major classroom building at the normal school burned, so college classes were also conducted in the new school building -- along with elementary and secondary classes. It truly was a "consolidated" school!
It had been some 43 years that Spearfish was without its own stand-alone high school.
Higbee noted that almost all early-day photographs of the old high school building had Spearfish Mountain as a backdrop.
The original building can be seen lurking behing a more contemporary structure in this photo taken in March 2009.
Nonetheless, it's yet another view with Spearfish Mountain in the background!
As noted above, we'd appreciate hearing from anyone who could provide us with early-day photographs of Spearfish High School. Simply drop us an e-mail. Many thanks!
The original building can be seen lurking behing a more contemporary structure in this photo taken in March 2009.
Nonetheless, it's yet another view with Spearfish Mountain in the background!
As noted above, we'd appreciate hearing from anyone who could provide us with early-day photographs of Spearfish High School. Simply drop us an e-mail. Many thanks!
The first class to graduate from the old school received their diplomas in 1927. There were 33 members of that class.
By 1930, there were 50 graduating seniors, and the number of graduates hovered near that 50 mark for most of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, with a slight dip in numbers around World War II.
In 1926, Higbee says Dave Clark started a music program, and Charlie McClung became a central figure of the program for many years. The bandshell in City Park is named for him.
The football field was created in 1930 one block south of the school, and it accommodated vehicle parking along the side of the field, allowing spectators to enjoy games from their cars.
By 1930, there were 50 graduating seniors, and the number of graduates hovered near that 50 mark for most of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, with a slight dip in numbers around World War II.
In 1926, Higbee says Dave Clark started a music program, and Charlie McClung became a central figure of the program for many years. The bandshell in City Park is named for him.
The football field was created in 1930 one block south of the school, and it accommodated vehicle parking along the side of the field, allowing spectators to enjoy games from their cars.
Higbee recalled the spectacular views enjoyed by students at the old high school location. This contemporary view shows Crow Peak in the background. Classroom students on the south side of the building would have a splendid view of Spearfish Mountain.
From a rather humble wresting team in 1956-57, when the program was started, Spearfish went on to win the state championship in 1960 and was recognized as a wrestling powerhouse throughout the 1960s. Signs were erected along the roads coming into town proclaiming Spearfish as "State Wrestling Capitol of South Dakota."
When the old high school closed in 1979, there were 107 students in the graduating class.
From a rather humble wresting team in 1956-57, when the program was started, Spearfish went on to win the state championship in 1960 and was recognized as a wrestling powerhouse throughout the 1960s. Signs were erected along the roads coming into town proclaiming Spearfish as "State Wrestling Capitol of South Dakota."
When the old high school closed in 1979, there were 107 students in the graduating class.
Although he didn't identify himself as one of the gridiron crew, Higbee recounted that coaches would drill players by having them run up and down the side of the hill adjacent to the football field, leaving ruts that, combined with water runoff, can still be seen today.
We're not sure the ruts shown here are a part of the landscape he described, but it may well be possible.. These are on the southeast side of the school. The old football field would be over this hill and to the right.
By the late 1960s, football games were moved to the college -- as were basketball games, which were played in the Cook Gymnasium. Eventually, graduation ceremonies were also conducted at the college.
We're not sure the ruts shown here are a part of the landscape he described, but it may well be possible.. These are on the southeast side of the school. The old football field would be over this hill and to the right.
By the late 1960s, football games were moved to the college -- as were basketball games, which were played in the Cook Gymnasium. Eventually, graduation ceremonies were also conducted at the college.
"Fight Corner." Only long-time residents would recall the colorful history of 8th and E. Illinois intersection in Spearfish.
It's where many disgruntled kids settled their differences.
It's where many disgruntled kids settled their differences.
There was much apprehension about just how difficult it would be to move to a new building after 53 years at the same location near Lookout Mountain.
Higbee says that the actual move -- during the Christmas holidays of 1979 -- employed about 400 people and a large pool of pickups. The deed was done, he says, within four hours.
Even though it's called the "new" high school, the newer facility west of North Main has been in use some 30 years. Of course, there've been several additions to the building -- but it still has a nice vantage point, as witnessed by this view of Spearfish Mountain in the background.
Of course, it's hard to beat the terrific panorama that students and faculty enjoyed from the old high school building. You can replace the school -- but not the memories!
To return to other recent Spearfish Area Historical Society topics, simply click Black Hills Journal History Section, or you can continue to scroll down through gallery photographs from previous presentations.
Higbee says that the actual move -- during the Christmas holidays of 1979 -- employed about 400 people and a large pool of pickups. The deed was done, he says, within four hours.
Even though it's called the "new" high school, the newer facility west of North Main has been in use some 30 years. Of course, there've been several additions to the building -- but it still has a nice vantage point, as witnessed by this view of Spearfish Mountain in the background.
Of course, it's hard to beat the terrific panorama that students and faculty enjoyed from the old high school building. You can replace the school -- but not the memories!
To return to other recent Spearfish Area Historical Society topics, simply click Black Hills Journal History Section, or you can continue to scroll down through gallery photographs from previous presentations.
Unless otherwise advertised, regular meeting of the Spearfish Area Historical Society (SAHS) are held at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month, September through May at the Spearfish Senior Citizens Center. It is located at 1306 Tenth Street.
Persons desiring more information may contact Laurie Williams-Hayes at 642-9620 in Spearfish.
We try to post a few photographs from each monthly meeting, along with a bit of information. You can scroll down to see photos from the most recent presentation. Photographs from earlier society meetings can be found by clicking on other "Gallery Pages" listed at the top and bottom of each page.
Persons desiring more information may contact Laurie Williams-Hayes at 642-9620 in Spearfish.
We try to post a few photographs from each monthly meeting, along with a bit of information. You can scroll down to see photos from the most recent presentation. Photographs from earlier society meetings can be found by clicking on other "Gallery Pages" listed at the top and bottom of each page.
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