With Meade County finally being organized in March of 1889, the fight for the county seat was now on. Throughout the journey of becoming a county, many who looked at the situation assumed it would be Sturgis who would take the title. Others had different plans though. A few contendersRead More →
In 1889, Meade separated from Lawrence County. One could argue it was more of a formality, as the citizens of Sturgis, and the larger area, had already separated themselves from the rest of Lawrence County. In many ways, Meade had begun as a rogue county; a county set on changingRead More →
On December 7th, 1941, the unthinkable happened. Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes descended upon Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in what would become a devastating surprise attack. The next day, the United States would declare war on Japan. With that declaration, day to day life in the states would begin to changeRead More →
It would only take a year for the Black Hills Motor Classic to become an international event. The first to show up, and show up ready for speed, were Canadians. Bringing some of the fastest bikes from around the world, they would put up their skills against the quickest ridersRead More →
On August 30th, 1885, Gottlieb Daimler created the first motorcycle. That German invention would go on to change a tiny town in the Black Hills of South Dakota into a worldwide phenomenon. At the time, Sturgis, SD was just beginning to form, not even being a decade old. The citizensRead More →
In 1872, John “Grasshopper Jim” Frederick left Bismarck, Dakota Territory, and traveled down to the Black Hills. At least according to Frederick. As with many early characters of the Black Hills, it may be that Frederick exaggerated a bit when it came to his life. Well, more like outright lied.Read More →
This is a phallic object, take it. That’s how Desmond Morris, the renowned anthropologist, described the act of flipping the middle finger. “By doing it, you are offering someone a phallic gesture.” And it’s a gesture that has a very long history. While some have made the claim, a claimRead More →
It had only been a few years since they were married, but with the death of Warren Tubbs, Alice “Poker Alice” Tubbs’ life was growing ever more dreary. The blizzard that had engulfed their home in late December, 1909, was a perfect reflection of Alice’s own life. According to hisRead More →
Gathering at the Stratobowl once again, the U.S. Army Corps and National Geographic Society were preparing for a second Explorer expedition. It would be the first of two that were scheduled to occur during the summer of 1935; one set for July, the other for August. In the February issueRead More →
On June 27, 1934, one hundred and twenty members of the Forth Calvary, from Fort Meade, gathered at the Stratobowl in the Black Hills National Forest. There they would witness the beginning of the space age, and the first of more than a dozen balloons that would be sent towardsRead More →