City of Rapid City history

Rapid City, city, seat (1877) of Pennington county, western South Dakota, United States It lies at the eastern edge of the Black Hills on Rapid Creek, from which it derived its name.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology was founded in 1885 to provide instruction in mining and metallurgical engineering.

The city’s prime location made it a convenient transportation hub, initially for wagons and stagecoaches, and then rail traffic following the completion of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad in 1886.

The School of Mines opened for instruction on February 17, 1887.

When North and South Dakota were granted statehood in 1889, the school was re-designated as the South Dakota School of Mines.

By 1900 Rapid City had survived a boom and bust and was establishing itself as an important regional trade center.

Reptile Gardens, founded in 1937, gives spectators the opportunity to observe colorful birds and reptiles surrounded by thousands of orchids and other tropical and desert plants in its Skydome.

The memorial opened to the public in 1941.

The budding tourism industry took a hit during the Great Depression and World War II, but the establishment of Rapid City Army Air Base (later renamed Ellsworth Air Force Base) six miles northeast of the city in 1942 helped stave off economic disaster.

In 1943, the state legislature changed the name of the institution to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, in recognition of the school’s expanded role in new areas of science and technology.

In 1947, Korczak Ziolkowski, came to the Black Hills and at the invitation of Chief Henry Standing Bear began work on the Crazy Horse Memorial to show the world that the Lakota had great leaders, too.

In 1949 city officials envisioned the city as a retail and wholesale trade center for the region and designed a plan for growth that focused on a civic center, more downtown parking places, new schools, and paved streets.

In June 1972 heavy rains fell, causing record flooding on many creeks in the Black Hills.

In 1978, Rushmore Mall was built, adding to the city's position as a retail shopping center.

United States rank in 1990: Not reported

The 2003 average sales price for a single family home was $136,707; the average rental for a two-bedroom apartment was $639.

The following is a summary of data regarding the Rapid City metropolitan area labor force, 2004 annual averages.

Projected to open in late 2005, the center will be located on the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Campus.

Growth and economic development are top priorities; in 2011, a parking lot was razed to create Main Street Square, the city’s unofficial “living room” and host to a number of year-round events.