History of Rapid City, South Dakota, USA

Rapid City was founded in 1876

1883 - A three day flood in the Black Hills of western South Dakota resulted in a million dollars damage at Rapid City.

WeatherForYou.com

1891 - July 5 - Sixteen horses were killed by hail, and many more have to be put to death due to injuries from a hailstorm at Rapid City, SD.

The Weather Channel
July 5, 1891

1895 - Rapid City
Rap'id City, a post-village, capital of Pennington co., S.D., 45 miles by rail S.S.E. of Deadwood. It has 7 churches, 4 banks, 5 newspaper offices, and manufactures of building-material, stucco, cement, tiles, fire-brick, &c. Here is the state school of mines. Pop, in 1890, 2128.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Rapid City, a banking city, capital of Pennington co., S.Dak., 40 miles SE. of Deadwood, on the Northwestern Line. It is in the Black Hills mining region and has the South Dakota School of Mines, a chlorination plant, a foundry, etc. Pop. in 1900, 1342.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1907 - FIVE DROWNED IN BLACK HILLS
Rapid City, June 25. - Five people are known to have been drowned in the terrible flood in the Black Hills last week, and it is greatly feared that others will be found when some of the ranches within a radius of thirty or forty miles of Rapid are visited. Word was received here Sunday that Clint Davis and his family have not been seen since the flood, and as the house has been carried down and cannot be found, it is feared that the family were in it. The ranch house of Eardly Ham was struck in the night by the flood and the family were compelled to take refuge in an upper story until 5 o'clock the next afternoon, when they were rescued from their perilous position. Another family in this vicinity were forced to abandon their home and spend the night out of doors on a slightly higher place, either standing or sitting in the water. John E. Murphy, in charge of the government irrigation dam at Belle Fourche, last night received word from his wife that a child had been drowned and asking ... Read MORE...

January 10, 1911 - The temperature at Rapid City, SD, plunged 47 degrees in just fifteen minutes.

WeatherForYou.com

1949 - Blizzard struck South Dakota; railroad from Pierre to Rapid City blocked for serveral weeks; air drops of hay required

www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ sdtimeln.htm

1955 - July 1 - KOTA TV channel 3 in Rapid City, SD (ABC/NBC) begins broadcasting

historyorb.com

1970 - April 17-18 - Rapid City, SD, received a record 22 inches of snow in 24 hours.

The Weather Channel

1972 - June 9 - 14" of rain in 6 hrs burst Rapid City SD dam, drowns 237

historyorb.com
June 9, 1972

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Rapid City:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial:

No visit to Rapid City is complete without seeing Mount Rushmore. Marvel at the colossal sculptures of four U.S. presidents carved into the granite face of the Black Hills.

Custer State Park:

Just a short drive from Rapid City, Custer State Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and hiking trails amidst stunning landscapes.

Badlands National Park:

Take a day trip to the Badlands National Park, famous for its rugged terrain, dramatic canyons, and unique geological formations. It's a paradise for hikers and photographers.

Downtown Rapid City:

Explore the downtown area with its vibrant mix of shops, galleries, and restaurants. Stroll around Main Street Square, where you might catch live music, events, or just relax.

Art Alley:

Art Alley is a unique spot in downtown Rapid City known for its ever-changing street art. It's a visual feast showcasing the creativity of local... Read MORE...