Hill City, South Dakota
Hill City is the oldest existing city in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 948 at the 2010 census. Hill City is located 26 miles (42 km) southwest of Rapid City on State Highway 16 and on U.S. Route 385 that connects Deadwood to Hot Springs. Hill City is known as the 'Heart of the Hills' which is derived from its close proximity to both the geographical center of the Black Hills, and the local tourist destinations.The city has its roots in the Black Hills mining rush of the late 19th century. Tin mining was dominant in the 1880s and led to an influx of capital and people into the area. As the mining industry subsequently waned, tourism and timber became increasingly important to the area. With the establishment of Mount Rushmore in the 1940s, Custer State Park, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the Black Hills became known as a tourist destination which Hill City benefited from. In recent years the city has diversified to become a center for the arts in the area featuring several art studios and festivals.
History
Human history in the area that became Hill City, and the greater Black Hills in particular, started by at least 7000 B.C. The Arikara arrived by 1500 A. D., followed by the Cheyenne, Crow, Kiowa and Pawnee. In the 19th century the Lakota Sioux claimed the land calling it Paha Sapa. In 1874 Major General George Armstrong Custer led an expedition into the Black Hills during which gold was discovered in French Creek, 13 miles (21 km) south of Hill City. The discovery of gold opened the Black Hills, and the Hill City area, to mining. Hill City was first settled by miners in 1876 who referred to the area as Hillyo. This was the second American settlement in the Black Hills. Hill City is the oldest city still in existence in Pennington County. A post office was constructed and opened on November 26, 1877. The city almost reverted into a ghost town when miners relocated to the northern Black Hills after the discovery of gold there. However, in 1883, tin was discovered near town and the population rebounded. The Harney Peak Tin Mining, Milling, and Manufacturing Company made its headquarters on Main Street along with at one time 15 saloons. The company was backed by English financiers and bought 1100 prospecting sites around the area. As mining grew, the city became known for its wild living and was once referred to as, ' a town with a church on each end and a mile of Hell in between.' The company built the Harney Peak Hotel on Main Street to entertain its management and executives. Upon realizing the market in Tin was unsustainable, the company ceased operation in 1902.Although a small school building was established previously, a main school building was constructed on Main Street in 1921. This school building was replaced in 2001 with the current high school. On July 10, 1939 a fire started ten miles (16 km) outside of Hill City. Among those who battled the blaze was Hill City High School's entire basketball squad, as well as several teachers and administrators. US forest service named the school boys one of the best crews who fought the fire. The school team name thus became the Hill City Rangers and was privileged as the only school district in the United States allowed to use Smokey Bear as its official mascot. Hill City was incorporated on March 21, 1945. The Harney Peak Hotel remained in operation until 1934. The Building has been restored and is the current location of the Alpine Inn. This building is on the List of Registered Historic Places in South Dakota. The Black Hills Institute of Geological Research opened in 1973 and is involved in excavation and display of dinosaur and other fossils. In 1992 the institute was engaged in a legal battle over ownership of Tyrannosaurus rex fossil named 'Sue'.This city was one of the filming locations for TNT's 1994 film Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee.
Railroad
The main railroad lines that intersected Hill City are the Burlington Northern Line (also called the High line), previously the Grand Island and Wyoming Central, operated by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company, and the Black Hills central line a spur that extended from Hill City to Keystone. The Northern line extended from Edgemont north through Hill City and terminated in Deadwood. Hill City was reached by this line in 1893, and the central line was extended to Keystone and reached there on January 20, 1900. Narrow gauge trolley cars were operated at 45 minute intervals during the day on the northern line. The Northern line was discontinued for passenger service in 1949, and was fully abandoned in 1983. It is now the George S. Mickelson Trail after being converted to a bike trail during the 1990s.In 1957 the Black Hills Central Railroad, also known locally as the 1880 train, opened a tourist passenger train on the central line. In 1972 a flood destroyed the last mile of the Burlington Northern/Black Hills Central line that extended from Hill City to Keystone. This final mile was restored in 2001. The Black Hills Central Railroad restores era style locomotives and train cars, and has been featured on the television shows, Gunsmoke episode Snow Train, General Hospital and the TV mini-series, Into the West produced by TNT. The railroad also made an appearance in the movie, Orphan Train.
Sue controversy
On August 12, 1990, Sue Hendrickson, an American paleontologist working for the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research discovered the fossil of what would become the most complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered. The fossil was named 'Sue' after the woman who discovered it. After discovery, excavation, and transport to the Institute's facilities in Hill City, controversy arose as to who the rightful owners of the fossil was. The parties in dispute were the land owner, Maurice Williams, the tribe - and thus the federal government, and the Black Hills Institute. Since Mr. Williams had put the part of his land 'in trust' with the federal government was case to this action. On May 12, 1992 FBI agents seized Sue from the Institute over the course of three days. The fossil was shipped to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Through the ongoing court battle it was finally decided that Maurice Williams was the owner of the fossil. The federal government later brought a 39 count 153 charge indictment against the institute and several of its members which was related to this case and other fossils. This case turned into the longest criminal trial in South Dakota state history. Finally Peter Larson the president of the institute was convicted on two counts customs violations for which he served two years in federal prison. Sue was finally auctioned off by Sotheby's auction house, and sold by Maurice Williams to the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois for 8.36 million dollars.
Geography and climate
Hill City is located in the Black Hills at 43°56′01″N 103°34′17″W / 43.933675°N 103.571415°W / 43.933675; -103.571415 (43.933675, -103.571415) near the geographic center of the Black Hills, which is where the cities motto 'The Heart of the Hills' originated. Spring Creek runs through the east side of town.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.0 km2). 0.8 square miles (2.0 km2) of it is land and 1.28% is water.Hill City has been assigned the ZIP code 57745 and the FIPS place code 29100.The climate of Hill City is dry with an average of 20 inches (510 mm) of precipitation annually. The presence of the hills surrounding the town leads to cooler weather in winter and summer and makes for calm conditions with little wind compared to areas outside of the Black Hills.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 780 people, 298 households, and 213 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,013.5 people per square mile (391.1/km2). There were 340 housing units at an average density of 441.8 per square mile (170.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.74% White, 3.46% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 4.36% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.05% of the population.There were 298 households out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.In the city the population was spread out with 31.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.The median income for a household in the city was $32,500, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $30,114 versus $17,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,789. About 12.5% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government and services
Hill City incorporates a Mayor-Council style of governance in which the mayor is the chief executor and the council has legislative control over city ordinances. The city is broken into two wards with two members of the city council elected from each ward to serve two year terms. Mayor Don Voorhees was elected to his first term in 2006 and will serve a four year term. Dave Grey is the president of the council and represents the first ward. Mr. Grey has served on the council since 1998 and was re-elected in 2006. The second representative from the first ward is Tana Nichols who was first elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2005. Ward II is represented by John Johnson who was first elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2005, and Dan Maxfield who was elected to his first term in 2006.Members of the Zoning and Planning Commission, Parks Board, and Library Board are appointed. There are five members on the zoning and planning commission with the chair and vice-chair being elected positions. The city's financial officer administrates city offices, council activities, mayoral activities, department and personnel management, while also acting as financial control of city assets, budgets, and fiscal activities. The major source of city income is through a sales tax. The office of Public Works oversees city infrastructure, water and sewers.In the South Dakota State Legislature, Hill City is represented by two representatives and one senator from District 30 who all serve two year terms corresponding to even numbered years. The district encompasses all of Fall River County, Custer County, and most of Pennington country excluding most of the Rapid City and Sturgis area in the north central part of the county. The senator is Jim Lintz an incumbent Republican from Hermosa. The representatives are Gordon Howie an incumbent Republican from Rapid City, and Mike Verchio a Republican from Hill City.Hill City has a voluntary ambulance service and voluntary fire department. There is one health clinic in town with limited services. Rapid City Regional hospital (26 miles away) and Custer community hospital (13 miles away) both offer emergency room and other health facilities. There is a small library in town with a collection of 7,338 books and various audio and visual resources. The Pennington Country Sheriff's Department has allocated three deputies to serve the Hill City area.
Economy
Employment in Hill City is based on the timber, tourism, and telecommunications industries. The timber industry is important to Hill City since it is located in the Black Hills National Forest. Rushmore Forest Products runs a lumber mill outside of town and is the area's largest employer. Tourism is enabled by Hill City's proximity to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Several local attractions, restaurants, souvenir shops, and art galleries cater to those visiting the area. RMA & Associates, a telecommunications company responsible for telephone surveying, has a call center in Hill City.Hill City has increasingly become the arts community of the Black Hills, and is the home to the Warrior's Work gallery, which features both Indian art and art reflecting the West, Black Hills Bronze, and the home gallery of well-known local painter Jon Crane. It is also the home of Art of the Hills magazine, which focuses on the art and artists of the region.Hill City collects a 2% sales tax on general merchandise, and an additional 1% on lodging, restaurants, alcohol, and ticket sales. Hill City does not tax income on business or individuals.
Education
Hill City School District 51-2 and is made up of elementary, middle, and high schools located in separate building on the same campus. A permanent school building was constructed in 1921 and housed all grades until an elementary school building was constructed in 1961 with several modifications in the 1980s. The Middle School was built in the 1970s with several additions in the 1990s. After the middle school was built the original school building became the high school building. In 2001, construction was begun on a new high school which was completed in 2002. The previous high school was razed in 2003. Hill City District 51-2 schools are predominantly funded through property tax on those living in the school district. The district also has adopted an open enrollment policy that makes it easier to transfer between local school districts.Enrollment as of the 2010-2011 school year was 506, while the majority live outside the city limits. The school also serves the town of Keystone, South Dakota, and the unincorporated towns of Rochford, and Silver City. The school system is administered by a board of education which as of the 2010-2011 school year, was made up of President Owen Wiederhold and members Cydnee Gruzenski, Kris Knapp, Darrell Sullivan and Michelle Anderson. The school's superintendent is Mark Naugle. The high school and middle school principal is Todd Satter and the elementary principal is Blake Gardner.The Hill City Schools made AYP under the No Child Left Behind Legislation at every grade level and at every subgroup. South Dakota school districts use the Dakota Step Test as its assessment tool. The upcoming year, 79% of students will be required to be proficient in reading and 72% in math.
Culture and religion
Hill City is becoming a center for the Black Hills visual arts community. The Hill City Arts Council oversees the promotion of the arts in the city, as well as several arts events throughout the year including the annual Art Extravaganza put on by the local artists and Arts and Crafts fair which draws more regional influence. An annual quilt show and Native American quilt show are also offered. There are seven art studios and galleries in town with several regionally known artists. Styles highlighted are sculpture in bronze and stone, watercolors, painting, and framing. Native American artwork and jewelry are also prominent.The Hill City Slickers is a musical group that plays country, folk, and bluegrass music as well as original music. In 2003 they were featured artists with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra. Thus far they have produced three albums.Hill City is home to the Black Hills Museum of Natural History, which came out of the vision of the Black Hills Institute for Geological Research. The museum was incorporated in 1992. The collection on display includes dinosaurs, fossil fishes, mammals, birds, reptiles, and fossil invertebrates, as well as gemstones, minerals, and meteorites. The highlight of the collection is the Tyrannosaurus rex specimen named 'Stan' which is one of the most compete skeletons unearthed with 65% of the bones unearthed. The museum is also a leading contributor to Hill City's Natural History Days celebration that focuses on fun and education, with guest speakers, and a fossil hunt for children.Wade's Gold Mill and Mining Museum offers a look back on the history of mining in the Black Hills. The museum has worked to collect and preserve equipment used of mining in the Black Hills and hosts a one-stamp gold mill.Although people of many faiths live in Hill City, five groups have established church buildings in town. These include Assemblies of God, Catholic Church, Lutheran (Missouri Synod), Lutheran (ELCA), and one non-denominational Christian church.
Sports and recreation
Hill City High School is a member of the South Dakota High School Activities Association and competes in class 'A'. Because students helped to fight a wildfire that threatened the community in 1939, the school's mascot is Smokey Bear, and the fight song is Marines' Hymn. High School Boys compete in basketball, football, track and field, cross country, and wrestling. High School Girls compete in basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, track and field, cross country, and golf.The Hill City football team had many winning season and all-state players during the tenure of Head Coach Todd Weber and assistant Cory Ginsbach. Coach Ginsbach was also the Hill City athletic director for 23 years. He was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease) and passed away in the fall of 2008. An award is still given to area athletes on behalf of Coach Gins' name and the new gymnasium in Hill City is appropriately named 'Coach Gins Court'.The Hill City Boys basketball team enjoys playing in the Gin's Gym located downtown Hill City. The Rangers have had several successful seasons; most notably in 1999 (19-4)and 2009 (16-6). The Rangers are coached by Blake Gardner and play in the Black Hills Conference.The Hill City girls basketball team qualified for the South Dakota State Basketball Tournament in 1997. The girls are coach by Shawn Woodward.The Hill City Boys track and field team were the winners of the 1998 State meet in class A and were runners up in 1997. The Rangers also won the State 'A' Boy's Cross Country meet in 2007. The Rangers rich running tradition can be credited to many including Jesse Coy, who ran on the 97-98 team and coached the 07 team. The Rangers cross country team is coached by Dan Ashiem.The Boys and Girls club of the Black Hills, located in Hill City, also organizes youth baseball, softball, and soccer teams.Outdoor Sports popular in the area include hiking, mountain climbing, snowmobiling and dogsled racing. Hill City is ninth trailhead on the George S. Mickelson Trail that runs from Deadwood, to Edgemont. This trail is often used for running, cycling, and snowmobiling in the winter.Hill City hosts the Run for the Gold Dogsled race each January or February. This event attracts international competition and consists of teams of eight dogs and a musher, and is part of the International Sled Dog Racing Association schedule. Competitors compete in three classes and race 50, 40 or 20 miles (32 km) for each of two days. Times for each day are summed to determine the final standings. Prize money is given in cash and gold. The race was cancelled in 2007 due to lack of snow.Snowmobiling is also enjoyed in the area with groomed paths running through Hill City and the surrounding Black Hills. There are 350 miles (560 km) of groomed trails in the area. Two snowmobiling magazines have rated the Black Hills as one of the best places to ride in North America.
Area Media
The television and radio stations available in Hill City are generally based out of the Rapid City market. Hill City does have one FM station, 103.9 K280AJ, which is a translator station of KRCS Sturgis.TelevisionKOTA-TV3ABC
KEVN-TV7Fox
KBHE-TV9PBS
KNBN21NBC
FM Radio89.3KBHESDPB/NPR(Public/Classical/Jazz)
92.3KQRQ-FM'Q 92.3' (Classic hits)
93.1/99.5KRCS'Hot 93.1' (Top 40/CHR)
93.9KKMK'Magic 93.9' (Adult contemporary)
95.1KSQY'K-Sky' (Mainstream Rock)
97.9/105.7KTPT'The Point' (Christian rock)
98.7KOUT'Kat Country' (Country)
100.3KFXS'The Fox' (Classic rock)
103.9K280AJ(Adult contemporary)
104.1KIQK'Kick 104' (Country)
105.1KAWK'The Hawk' (Adult contemporary)
106.3KZLK'Max FM' (Adult hits)
AM Radio810KBHBSturgis
920KKLSRapid City
980KDSJDeadwood
1150KIMMRapid City
1340KTOQRapid City
1380KOTARapid City
Print
The Hill City Prevailer is a weekly newspaper covering local issues in Hill City and Keystone. Founded in 1970, the paper is published by Southern Hills Publishing Inc. and has a circulation of 850.Art of the Hills Magazine is a bi-annual publication focusing on visual and performing arts and creative writing in Hill City and the Black Hills.
