LCHS Spring Tour - 2013
Where we were headed might have looked something like this 137 years ago. Jerry Bryant shared this photo of Crook City, Dakota Territory, dated 1876. Believed to be looking in a westwardly direction.
This is one of those photographs you'll want to take a close look at, so we invite you to click on the image and select a larger image (we like "X3").
We were in a caravan to Crook City via US 85 and the Crook City Road. The Forest Service Road on which we're parked swings south from the Crook City Road, which lies in the vicinity of the buildings shown in the background of this photo.
Much of old Central City sat astride the Forest Service road upon which we were congregated. This view is generally to the northeast.
Little remains in this vicinity to suggest just how thriving and vibrant Crook City once was.
The old Crook City Cemetery is now on private land and was not accessible.
That's Mary Gallup-Livingston in the yellow jacket. She led the organizing of arrangements in Whitewood for this great tour. Thank you, Mary! Here, she prepares to guide our group in to Whitewood, which was a very busy place on Saturday, April 27th! They had a major auction taking place that day.
An undated birds-eye view of Whitewood, South Dakota. Probably taken in the very early 1900's. Photo courtesy of the Whitewood Public Library.
The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad provided the first rail service to Whitewood in November of 1887. It was the railroad that helped Whitewood blossom as a transportation center in the northern Black Hills.
This undated photograph was taken during a "Labor Day Picnic." Photo courtesy of the Whitewood Public Library.
In the rail yard at Whitewood, South Dakota, undated. Photo courtesy of the Whitewood Public Library.
The first stop of the LCHS Spring Tour was the Whitewood Senior Citizens Center. The Methodist Church first occupied this building. By 1920 it had become a Lutheran Church and remained as such for some 40 years, until the Lutherans built a new church. The structure then passed in to private hands before being purchased in 1973 by the Senior Citizens Center for $4,800. (Thanks to Mary Gallup-Livingston for much of the information used in many of these captions!)
You may want to click on this photo and take a gander at the group close-up! A superb meal was served -- and what a wonderful choice of soups and sandwiches. Whitewood resident made us feel very welcome!
This LCHS tour offered an early look at some of the many exhibits and historic sites around Whitewood.
The entire Whitewood community has been working for over a year to make the 125th Anniversary celebration a success. Mike Weyrich is Chairman of the 125th Anniversary Committee and Rea Weyrich is organizing a parade. The Whitewood City Council will also have numerous historical exhibits, and dozens of other folks are working behind the scenes for the event.
A parade, dancing, BBQ, historical exhibits, and much more will be on the agenda. If our tour was any indication, Whitewood will be THE place to be the last weekend of June!
Our first stop after lunch was the historic Lane Hotel. Click on the image to see a close-up version. And note the Lane name atop the upstairs doorway. The "Lane Annex" is to the right of the old hotel, which was wired for electric lights and had 29 sleeping rooms with steam heat.
Watch your step! Whitewood has a steep curb along the west side of Meade Street! And there was quite a bit of traffic on this Saturday afternoon.
Mary Gallup-Livingston has done a great deal of research on the history of Whitewood, and she had much to offer about construction of the old Lane Hotel, including the role played by Catherine Thybo Anderson, widow of James Anderson. Catherine married Enos Lane, and the building bears their name. Enos Lane didn't live to see the 1904 completion of the building.
The Jones Building was constructed in 1908.
The Jones Building sits adjacent to the Lane Hotel annex. Under ownership of Preserve South Dakota,the building was restored, and exterior repairs were completed in 2012.
Whitewood Mayor Deb Schmidt (left) welcomed the group to Whitewood -- and talked a bit about some of the structures along Meade Street. Mary Gallup-Livingston is at right.
Click on the photo and choose "X3" for a closer look at the Bonniwell Building, which was constructed in 1905. Philip M. Bonniwell operated a hardware store downstairs, as well as a harness and saddle shop. The upstairs dance hall was dubbed the Golden Wheel Dance Hall and was a popular destination for more than 50 years! Several of our tour participants remember attending dances there.
A little closer look at our group in front of the Bonniwell Building. The building to the right with the green awning now houses the Whitewood City Hall.
More renovation is underway at the Bonniwell building, which is located to the north of the Lane and Jones buildings on Meade Street.
Some informative exhibits laid out the history of Whitewood over its 125 years.
During Whitewood's big anniversary celebration, there'll be many more. The event is scheduled for the last weekend in June.
Rand Williams of Spearfish (left) and another gentleman enjoying an aerial view of Whitewood.
These exhibits were exceptionally well done.
Click on the following images to get a closer look at the photos and narratives that outline several aspects of the early days of Whitewood.
As you might expect, agriculture played a huge role in the development of the community.
As did the railroad!
Sue Jansen (left) provided the tour group with a bit of history about the Senior Citizens Center building.
We were in the vicinity of the old bank building, too.
William Selbie and his associates had this sandstone building erected in 1895 as the Whitewood Banking Company.
Apparently, a bank robbery and the harsh years of the 1930's Dust Bowl caused the bank to close in 1937.
The "Selbie Building" was torn down in 1994 because it was considered unsafe. Photo is courtesy of the Whitewood Public Library.
Sue Jansen points the way as the group begins a trek down the street by the Senior Citizens Center toward the old school.
