If you designed a town as a tribute to the American cowboy it would look like Lemmon. The little city straddling the border of the two Dakotas has just 1,200 citizens but it seems 10 times that size on days when there’s a rodeo or a cattle auction. Even on a slow day, Lemmon looks like a cowboy capital — thought nobody there would claim the title because real cowboys don’t brag.
Category: gallery-cvb
Huron’s Marvelous Murals
Artists have brightened and enlightened the streets of Huron with nearly two dozen murals that illustrate the history and heritage of a city that has developed into one of the American West’s most farm-oriented communities.
Huron is home to both the Farm Bureau and Farmers Union organizations. The South Dakota State Fair, held in Huron since 1905, has developed as one of the nation’s best agricultural fairs. The state’s federal USDA offices are headquartered there, and two of South Dakota’s major livestock auction barns.
That ag heritage has inspired much of the city’s street art. Murals depict pioneer settlers, the legacy of the fair, agrarian politics, the great ’82 Land Rush in the James River valley and pheasant hunting. However, other themes are also represented; a 2002 mural honors the USA’s healing from the 9/11 disaster.
Looking for a windshield art tour? The marvelous murals of Huron are worth the trip. Visit each one and take a selfie by your favorite. Grab a sandwich to go at Manolis Grocery (actually a funky and wonderful old-style bistro that dates to 1921). See the 40-foot fiberglass pheasant on the east side of town along Highway 14.
All things you can only do in Huron.
Hill City’s Trees and Trains
All who love Christmastime and trains should rendezvous in Hill City this holiday season. (Anyone who doesn’t love Christmastime and trains might plan to see a doctor.) The South Dakota State Railroad Museum is fun any season of the year, but the locomotives and train exhibits truly shine during the holidays when Rick Mills and his crew add tinsel, holly and lights. The museum’s annual Trees & Trains exhibit is open December weekends and Christmas Eve day. It’s alongside South Dakota’s 1880 Train, which transforms into the Holiday Express every December. Families make lasting memories on the two-hour journey, steaming through the Black Hills in winter. The 1880 crew has implemented many COVID-19 policies to keep you and your family safe. All aboard! Several of Hill City’s favorite restaurants are open year-round, including the beautifully decorated Alpine Inn, a Black Hills staple, and a new place, Pizzeria Mangiamo, that features artisan wood-fire pizzas — one of South Dakota’s very few new restaurants to open during the pandemic.
Keystone Christmas
Keystone has a very different feel when the throngs of summer visitors to Mount Rushmore fade away. We recently paid a visit to the Pennington County town to enjoy the wintry mountain peace and community spirit. Photos by Bernie Hunhoff.
A Winter Walk on River Street
With its unique sandstone architecture, fun shops, tasty eateries and, of course, the flowing waters that gave it its name, Hot Springs is a delightful stop for travelers. Bernie Hunhoff recently took a stroll down River Street in the Fall River County town with camera in hand. Here’s what he found.
More Winter by the River
Almost every morning, you’ll find retired Yankton High School teacher and debate coach Paul Harens along the Missouri, scouting for fresh views of our old river town. We shared a few of his cold-weather shots in “Winter by the River,” a story in our January/February 2020 issue, but here are a few more for your enjoyment. Look for more of Harens’ work on Instagram.
Land of Infinite Variety
Custer State Park includes a landscape perhaps more diverse than any other in the state or region, with Black Hills forest, deciduous trees, rolling prairies and granite spires. Christian Begeman explored the park and its varying subject matter this fall.
Chapel in the Hills
This traditional stave church nestled on the western edge of Rapid City is an exact reproduction of the 12th century Borgund stavkirke (stave church) of Laerdal, Norway. It was built in 1969 to house a Lutheran radio show, Lutheran Vespers. When the show moved to Minneapolis in 1975, a non-profit took over operation of the chapel. Local pastors preside over its nightly Vespers and vacationers are invited to visit the chapel and walk the grounds. Photos by Ryan Clayton. See more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/imagesbyryan
