Leland D. Case Library for Western Historical Studies - BHSU

05/30/2026

Just off Highway 79 in Butte County, the hamlet of Castle Rock boasts this architecturally interesting garage. Watson Parker photographed it on a visit in 1975 and speculated that it had once been used as a store and was later turned into a barn.

From the Watson Parker Ghost Town Notebooks. See more images from the collection here: https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/WPGhosttown

05/29/2026

Happy Birthday, Spearfish!!!
Just a reminder to join us for Paul Higbee's talk on the early history of Spearfish, today (May 29, 2026) at 2 p.m. at the High Plains Western Heritage Center.

Join local historian Paul Higbee for his talk commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Spearfish. "The Roots of Spearfish" will be presented on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the High Plains Western Heritage Center. The event is free and open to the public and takes place exactly 150 years to the day from when the town of Spearfish was first surveyed on May 29, 1876. The center is also hosting a photo exhibit curated by BHSU's Case Library, "Remembering Spearfish: 150 Years of Community" covering the first 75 years of Spearfish history. It can be viewed from now into the summer season. For more information, visit: https://libguides.bhsu.edu/Spearfish150 or call (605)642-9378.

05/23/2026

This photograph shows the tiny town of Pactola, prior to the valley being covered by Pactola Reservoir. It was taken between 1902 and 1907 by George Ashmun.

From the Black Hills National Forest Historical Collection. See more images from the collection here: https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/BHNF

05/22/2026

The latest issue of the "Black Hills Historian" celebrates the 150th anniversary of the founding of Spearfish. Learn about the early years of Spearfish, the stagecoaches that were vital transportation links, and the monument to Spearfish pioneers that once stood downtown.

To view this and other issues, visit: https://libguides.bhsu.edu/BHH



Help us celebrate the founding of Spearfish on May 29, 1876, by tagging your historic photos of the town with

05/19/2026

Join local historian Paul Higbee for his talk commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Spearfish. "The Roots of Spearfish" will be presented on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the High Plains Western Heritage Center. The event is free and open to the public and takes place exactly 150 years to the day from when the town of Spearfish was first surveyed on May 29, 1876. The center is also hosting a photo exhibit curated by BHSU's Case Library, "Remembering Spearfish: 150 Years of Community" covering the first 75 years of Spearfish history. It can be viewed from now into the summer season. For more information, visit: https://libguides.bhsu.edu/Spearfish150 or call (605)642-9378.

05/16/2026

The Society of American Archivists is creating a collection called "250 for the 250th" to tell the story of the US over the past 250 years. Archives from around the country are invited to make a submission--help Case Library choose what to submit!

Option 1: During World War II, Black Hills Teachers College hosted an Army Air Forces College Training Detachment to train cadets to be pilots and fulfill other roles. Spearfish residents proudly supported the war effort.

Option 2: The Standby Mill was one of many mills processing gold ore during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The gold rush was a pivotal moment in Black Hills history.

Option 3: Iron Mountain Road is a marvel of engineering with its pigtail bridges, tunnels, and hairpin curves, all designed to make the driver slow down and properly appreciate the beautiful Black Hills scenery.

Which would you choose?

Photo credits: World War II - Neil Lyon King & Joan Sunderland King Collection; Standby Mill - Watson Parker Ghost Town Notebooks; Iron Mountain Road - Black Hills National Forest Historical Collection.

05/09/2026

A view of BHSC graduates lined up outside of Cook Gymnasium, awaiting the commencement ceremony in the spring of 1976.

From the University Archives. See more images from BH's history here: https://tinyurl.com/BHSUarchives

05/02/2026

View of the north side of the 100 block of West Hudson Street Spearfish, South Dakota, taken from intersection with 5th Street. Businesses in view include: Krambeck's Music, Catalog Sales Agency Montgomery Ward, Spearfish Realty, T & W Electronic, and Brodersen Gas & Electric. The photo was likely taken in the early 1970s.

From the Father Eugene W. Szalay Collection. View more images from the collection here: https://tinyurl.com/BHSU-Szalay

Help us celebrate the founding of Spearfish in 1876 by tagging your historic photos of the town with

04/25/2026

With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, it is time for another pop quiz! Name the Black Hills town each of these architectural details are located in -- if you can. All are located in the business districts. Answers will be posted on Monday.

All images are from the Watson Parker Ghost Town Notebooks. See more images from the collection here: https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/WPGhosttown

04/22/2026

Just a friendly reminder about Thursday evening's FREE program with Paul Hedren: April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Joy Center (1351 St. Joe St.).

Join us on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Joy Center to hear award-winning historian and author Paul L. Hedren speak on "Sitting Bull's War."

Free and open to the public, with a reception and book signing to follow. 1351 St. Joe Street, Spearfish, SD.