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1962 Gorman Cabin "Silver City" "Black Hills"

    AS IT WAS

THE TOWN AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

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HISTORY

The railroad that made its way through town

The Crouch line was first built in 1907. It was a test of endurance for this little railroad that ventured through a narrow canyon for four decades.

"Crouch Line" Train "Silver City" Railroad

Life in the Valleys

The early pioneers with dreams of riches settled the valleys. The hardy people who tried to make a go of it as miners and their families who settled in the new frontier.

"Silver City" Church "South Dakota" "Black Hills"
Pactola Lake Reservoir Dam "Rapid Creek" "Silver City"

The dam that flooded Pactola

Pactola is man-made lake. Its namesake town was abandoned in preparation for the creation of the dam in the early 50's. What little was left of the town lies submerged but the interesting history of exploration, commerce, government, and tourism is told here.

A PREVENTORIUM

Camp Wanzer was a "summer preventorium" in the Black Hills. It was said that fresh air can fight tuberculosis. The camp was promoted  under the Easter seals in the 1920's as a camp for boys.

"Camp Wanzer" "Silver City, SD" Tuberculosis "Summer Camp"

The Silver City Historical Society strives to discover, collect, preserve, and study historical places of interest and events of the town and its surrounding area

"Silver City, SD" Ghost "Rapid Creek" Pactola

HISTORY

Silver "City"

The town of Silver City through the years.  From a dream-filled mining town to the quiet and resilient nature of today's summer getaway.

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"Silver City" Cemetery Pactola BHNF

THE CEMETERY WITH A VIEW

Nestled among the trees on a hill overlooking Pactola, the cemetery is the resting place for pioneers that lived along this valley.

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After running out of room, the cemetery was recently expanded to over two acres. We welcome this new development as it will allow this historical cemetery to continue to be used for years to come.

ABOUT SCHS

ACTIVELY MANAGED TODAY BY VOLUNTEERS

The SCHS manages the Old School House, the Church, the Cemetery, and the Gardens.  

EXPANDING OUR COLLECTION

The historical record fades through time. We welcome new additions in the form of pictures, maps, artifacts, clippings, on any media.

ARTIFACTS

OF THE VALLEY ABOVE PACTOLA

We are always on the look for all sorts of things. From railway spikes, to train schedules, postcards, maps, etc. We store these artifacts in a cabinet at the old School House.

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