Rapid City and the Central Black Hills
Explore the layered history of the Black Hills, from military expeditions and gold rush boomtowns to bold business ventures and iconic national parks. Follow the evolution of Rapid City, crafted as a service center and gateway, through self-guided tours enriched with maps, photos, and a vivid historical narrative.
From military expeditions to gold mining boomtowns, outlandish business ventures to stunning national parks, the Black Hills teem with history as rich as their natural beauty. Inspired by field trips that he organized for his classes at Black Hills State University, David A. Wolff has distilled decades of experience exploring, researching, and teaching the history of this majestic region into accessible and informative self-guided tours.

In February 1876, John Brennan and his associates decided to abandon their mining claims and create a service center modeled on Denver, Colorado. Dubbed Rapid City, the town overcame a rocky start to become “the Gateway to the Black Hills.” In this tour, you will discover how Rapid City and the gold towns of the Central Hills adapted to changing times and conquered the dreaded boom-and-bust cycle. Featuring maps by the South Dakota Department of Transportation and dozens of photographs, Wolff’s historical synopsis provides just the right amount of context for each site on the route, along with precise mileage and directions. By tour’s end, you will have completed a mini-course in Black Hills history!