Kelly G. Howie, Broker / Realtor

Rapid City, SD Area Guide

With over two million visitors gracing our city every year, they along with residents can experience the majestic view of Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, visit the Badland and the Black Hills National Forest.

Along with those great places to visit is Ellsworth Air Force Base, home to more than 3,000 airmen as well as being a vital part of the community. A regional trade center for people from five states, our neighbors in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska look to Rapid City for the finest quality medical care, air transportation, shopping, sports and entertainment as well as schools.

Known as “The Gateway to the Black Hills,” the city is divided by a mountain range splitting the western and eastern parts of the city in two. Residents and visitors, though, are more than happy to enjoy the view, and all the amenities Rapid City has to offer, so be one of the millions of people who visit us every year and when you get here, you’ll wonder what kept you!

For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_City,_South_Dakota

History

The discovery of gold in 1874 by the Custer Expedition brought the expected influx of settlers into the Black Hills and Rapid City was founded in 1876. Although originally known as Hay Camp, the disappointed miners who had founded the settlement began to promote their new city as the “Gateway to the Black Hills.” The city began selling supplies to miners and pioneers and its location at the edge of the plains and hills, with a large river valley made its location a natural hub for railroads that arrived in the late 1880’s. By 1900, Rapid City had survived both boom and bust and was establishing itself as an important regional trade center for the upper Midwest.

Although a popular tourist destination in the late 1890’s, the advent of improved highways brought even more popularity to the area in large numbers after World War I and Gutzon Borglum, renowned sculptor, began work on Mount Rushmore in 1927. His son continued the carving of the President’s faces after his father’s death in 1941, but work was halted and the sculpture was declared finished in 1941, because of the imminence of World War II. When the Rapid City Army Air Base (later Ellsworth Air Force Base) became a training area, the population nearly doubled.
Today, Rapid City has become the state’s primary city of tourism and recreation as it expands both residentially and commercially, with great business opportunities and that hometown feel of neighbors that know each other and feel like family. Give us a visit and you’ll understand what we mean when we say, “We’ll treat you like family!”
For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_City,_South_Dakota#History

Attractions and Activities

Bear Country USA

Bears aren’t the only thing you can see from the comfort of your vehicle as you travel through Bear Country USA. Elks, reindeer, deer, cougar, bobcats, goats and buffalo dot the landscape of the area Dr. Dennis Casey and his wife Pauline founded in 1972. Opened because there were no zoos nearby, their vision was to let people of Rapid City enjoy like they did. And now, it’s the home for the largest collection of privately owned bears anywhere.
To learn more, visit: http://bearcountryusa.com/index.php

The Journey Museum
Enjoy time travel without leaving the comfort of the museum, and learn about the history of the Black Hills, from the violent upheaval that formed them to the continuing saga of the Western Frontier. You’ll see where dinosaurs lie buried beneath the prairie soil, and why the Lakota Sioux call their Black Hills the “Center of the Universe.” When you’ve come back to the 21st century, you’ll understand why the legacy of land and its people are an integral part of the history of this country.
To learn more, visit: http://journeymuseum.org/index.php

The Dahl Arts Center
Serving as the premier western South Dakota arts center, The Dahl Arts Center opened in 1974, a public facility owned by the City of Rapid City. Its 280 seat event center, three visual arts galleries and interactive kid’s hands on gallery are just a few of the attractions at the Center. Come visit and enjoy the newly renovated center for any one of a number of events that are held there each year.
To learn more, visit: http://www.thedahl.org/the-dahl.html

Reptile Garden
Founded in 1937 and still run by the same family, the Reptile Garden has steadily grown into one of the leading tourist attractions in the Midwest . Live exhibits offer up close and personal views of these predators.
To learn more, visit: http://www.reptilegardens.com

Parks and Recreation

Maintaining over 1600 acres of parks that vary in size from 1.5 acres and up, all the parks provide limitless opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy them! Picnic or play horseshoes, enjoy a game of tennis or softball or go walking with your dogs. All you have to do is bring your fun!
For a complete list of parks, their locations and amenities, visit: http://www.rcgov.org/Parks-and-Recreation/municipal-parks.html

Events Calendar

Whether you want to attend the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in January and February, the Fat Tire Festival in May or the Jingle in the Jungle in December, there’s always something going on in Rapid City!

For a complete listing of annual events, visit: http://www.visitrapidcity.com/whattodo/annualevents/

To learn more about Rapid City, visit: http://www.rcgov.org/index.html