South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011 - (Page 158)

black hills, badlands & lakes region tory shows its compelling face from the moment you drive steep and winding Hwy. 14A through its tilted downtown district. This is a mining town with the architecture and landmarks to prove it. Its glory days are refl ected by such historic institutions as the Homestake Opera House and the Homestake Mansion, as well as by the immense hole that is the Open Cut and the iconic Yates Shaft reaching for the sky from the town’s pinnacle. The town’s environs, with elegant Victorian mansions, quaint little miners’ homes and oldfashioned storefronts, create a historic hodgepodge of nooks and crannies to venture into, including gift shops, art galleries and museums detailing Lead’s unique heritage. adventures in Lead M Gold Country ore than most towns, Lead’s his- Founded during the great gold rush of 1876 and sustained for 130 years by one of the richest gold veins ever unearthed, Lead is building its future in the very same deep underground tunnels and caverns that sustained it until the closing of the Homestake Gold Mine in 2002. The Homestake, actively managed by the Hearst family for much of its history, was recognized as the oldest, largest and deepest mine in the Western hemisphere, reaching more than 8,000 feet below the town. Those deep mining shafts were the primary reason that Lead, in 2007, was selected by the National Science Foundation as the location for the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory. Hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, specialty shops, private attractions, parks The Along with its historic gold rush allure, Lead has three in-town trailheads that take visitors on to the Mickelson Trail. and museums allow visitors to savor the historical treasures of the area, while hopes for its science-based future have enlivened the town’s atmosphere. Black Hills Mining Museum’s trained guides take you on a simulated tour of one of Homestake Gold Mine’s underground mining levels. A wide range of exhibits provide a closer look at the area’s mining heritage. A stop at the free Homestake Visitor Center at 160 Main Street includes displays of mining artifacts, plus plunging a few steps from the door is the gigantic Open Cut where gold was fi rst discovered and where it was last mined. There’s a mining video and a gift shop, too. Homestake Opera House, built in 1914 and nearly destroyed by fi re in 1984, is currently undergoing extensive renovation. Performances are staged year-round as it continues to raise funds for further rebuilding projects. Train buffs will enjoy the recently restored Black Hills & Fort Pierre Railroad Roundhouse, with a railroad interpretive center, restaurant and “Living Map” theater. As intriguing as its mining history remains, for many it is the Lead area’s stunning scenery and fi rstrate recreational opportunities that provide this Northern Hills hamlet’s biggest draw. Three trailheads right in Lead will get you started on the scenic 109-mile Mickelson Trail, South Dakota’s premier public corridor for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Other outdoor activities include golfi ng, fl y-fi shing and deer or wild turkey hunting. A short drive down Hwy. 14A takes you to Cheyenne Crossing, the southern entrance to Spearfi sh Canyon and its spectacular recreational opportunities. ■ 158 http://www.mountainstreamestates.com http://www.mountainstreamestates.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011

South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011
Contents
Overview
Getting Here, Getting Around
Information Centers
State Facts
Tourism Regions
Places of Interest
Public Campgrounds and Recreation Areas
Vacation Ideas
Southeast Region: A slice of South Dakota charm
Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region: Stories from the frontier
Great Lakes Region: Land of the mighty Missouri
Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Region: Enchanting mountain getaway
Black Hills map
Index

South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011

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