According to tradition, American Indians were stricken with an epidemic known as “fell disease” about the middle of the 16th century that threatened to obliterate the tribes. A messenger arrived from the Great West with news of a wonderful water which, he said, had been touched by the finger of the Great Spirit and would cure all manner of diseases. Indians came to these springs by the thousands.
After a lapse of more than 200 years, the Cheyenne took possession of the springs and built an immense tipi city covering hundreds of acres.
In the following years, the Sioux migrated west and disputed the ownership of the springs. This culminated in a fierce conflict in about 1869, the memory of which is preserved in the name of the eminence to the east, Battle Mountain, where the besieged Cheyenne established fortifications. The Sioux won the battle and possession of the springs which they called Wi-wi-la-kah-to (Springs - hot). They called the area Minnekahta (Water - hot) and termed the Black Hills a great “Medicine Home.”
After the Battle Mountain fight, tradition says the Sioux and Cheyenne agreed to allow the springs to be a health sanctuary to give their sick and lame the benefit of the healing waters. Around 1880, pioneers began to settle the area.
Tags: battle mountain historical marker hot springs south dakota historical markers fall river county hot springs south dakota fall river county hot springs south dakota historical markers fall river county south dakota historical markers fall river county south dakota battle mountain fall river county south dakota historical marker battle mountain fall river county south dakota early history wi-wi-la-kah-to (springs-hot) hot springs south dakota springs natural springs healing springs minerial springs minnekahta (water-hot) hot springs south dakota black hill great medicine home sioux & cheyenne battle mountain fight dakota territory south dakota health sanctuary fall river county south dakota native american indians early history warm springs hot springs mineral springs
© All Rights Reserved
Tags: hot springs south dakota old railroad depot station hot springs south dakota hot springs south dakota old caboose retired caboose hot springs south dakota landscape scenery south dakota back raods south dakota off the beaten path hot springs south dakota burlington route train depot caboose train station fall river county hot springs south dakota retired caboose fall river county hot springs south dakota depot train depot
© All Rights Reserved
Nobody suspected that this old jail existed until it was found within the walls of a frame house on 332 South Chicago Street, Hot Springs by William "Bud" Soper while he was demolishing the structure for salvage. The jail was donated to the City & it was moved to this site in April 1983.
The jail is built of 2 x 4 lumber laid flat & nailed together with rows of number 9 wire between the boards to discourage anyone from sawing through.
Calamity Jane gave quite a 'drunken exhibition' on November 10, 1895 in the Bodega Saloon just down the street & tried to "borrow' a horse to take it for a ride. She was 'offered' a night lodging in the city jail by Major C.W. Hargens.
Local Historian Helen Magee estimated the jail was built in 1885 or 86. It is the oldest wooden jail in existence in the United States.
Tags: hot springs south dakota south dakota road trip fall river county hot springs south dakota early history dakota territory hot springs dakota territory hot springs south dakota old jail hot srings south dakota 1888 jail fall river county hot springs south dakota william l. bud soper calamity jane hot springs south dakota calamity jane fall river county south dakota 1888 jail fall river county south dakota 188 jail fall river county hot springs south dakota wild west old west western frontier outlaws dakota territory wild west
© All Rights Reserved
Long before the white man discovered the valley of healing, the Sioux and Cheyenne Indian tribes fought for possession of the natural warm water springs. Legend tells us that the battle raged on the high peak above the springs & the Sioux emerged victorious.
The mammoth spring at the north end in the interior of the plunge is known as the "Original Indian Spring". Here the Indians drank & bathed in its warm healing water.
The Evans Plunge was built in 1890 over numerous small sparkling springs & one mammoth spring of mineral water with a temperature of 87 degrees & of mineral qualities proclaimed, on good authority to be superior to that of the famous Warm Springs, Georgia.
From the inflow of 5,000 gallons of water per minute from the springs arising out of the pebble bottom, there is a complete change of water 16 times daily, thus insuring clean, fresh, living water at all times.
The pool , 50 x 200 feet, ranges in depth from 4 feet to 6 feet with two shallow enclosures for children.
Artist: Maria March
Tags: mural artist creative art painting wall painting wall mural art mural colored mural hot spring south dakota artist hot springs south dakota murals fall river county hot springs south dakota wall art mural wall scenery wall landscape evan plunge hot springs south dakota mural evan plunge mural evan plunge mineral springs mural hot water springs mineral springs hot springs warm water springs spring waters healing water healing waters healing springs warm springs
© All Rights Reserved
Came across this cool painting at the Fall River Ranger Station (Buffalo Gap National Grassland), I believe it was done by Tuma 2002.
Tags: fall river county hoyt springs south dakota fall river ranger station fall river county national grassland south dakota art artist painting landscape painting landscape art landscape framed art artist work creative painting great plains landscape painting great plains art great plains painting high plains painting
© All Rights Reserved