One of the greatest parts of traveling slowly is the opportunity to stop and experience where and how others live. We’ve been fortunate to stop for up to a month in one area to really soak it all in. As we moved our way north through the Black Hills of South Dakota we realized that we were in one of the most patriotic area’s in the Nation and Fourth of July was just a week away. Western South Dakotan’s are proud of Mt Rushmore and the history of their area. It seems that each town that we role through has a fantastic story of the wild west and the people here like to carry on the traditions of the past. So we stuck around to celebrate the Fourth of July South Dakotan style.
Just north of the Black Hills on the wide open prairie lies the tiny town of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. With a population of just over 5500 people Belle Fourche continues a steady and slow growth from it’s population of 451 in 1900. A bike path meanders along the banks of the Belle Fourche river, there are nine parks, and Rocky Point State Park just 6 miles north of town. While the little downtown has seen better days the town boasts a small time charm with friendly people, local pride, and tons of history.
In the early 1800’s French fur trappers would Rendezvous here where the Redwaters and Hay Creek meet. They called it Belle Fourche (pronounced bell foosh) which means “beautiful fork.” Later after the 1876 gold rush in the Black Hills business men looking for opportunity saw the fertile land around Belle Fourche and knew that the valley could provide food and livestock for the miners of the Black Hills.
Sol Star and Seth Bullock had acquired land in the valley upon their arrival in Deadwood in 1876 and allowed the railroad to build through their property as livestock shipping to the east was becoming a booming business in the Belle Fourche valley. The first trainload of cattle left the Belle Fourche terminal in 1890 and this put Belle Fourche on the map. By 1895 this area became the largest livestock shipping point in the world. This was the beginning of the “cow town” known as Belle Fourche.
The real fun, however, began in 1918. The town of then 1500 hosted South Dakotas first rodeo on the Fourth of July in an effort to raise money for the Red Cross during WWI. Called the Black Hills Roundup the rodeo raised $20,000 and was a huge success. It was so popular that the city decided to make it an annual event. This year the rodeo turns 99 and beginning on June 30th there are 5 days of PRCA Rodeo action including 2 nights of spectacular fireworks.
People from all over the world come to this little town for South Dakota’s oldest rodeo and Fourth of July celebration. Just days before the town was a buzz with excitement. Railroad St., in the middle of downtown area, had a carnival filled with rides and games down the blocked off road. Chairs and caution tape reserved sections of grass near the rodeo grounds as people anticipated the fireworks displays. The streets more congested than usual as rodeo riders spill into town. It feels like a step back in time and it’s nice to soak in the feeling of community. The patriotism here is contagious.
On Fourth of July morning the town gathers for the annual mile long parade. Surrounding communities participate too making this an epic display of local business, politics, and people. Belle Fourche’s Cowboy Band belts out patriotic tunes, fire trucks sound their sirens, and pagent winners in cowboy hats trot along on their red white and blue painted horses. The streets were lined with families and children collected bags full of candy thrown from float participants. The would be governor running along shaking hands with the crowd, the Lions Club clowns raising money for kids hospitals, the boy with the lemonade stand in front of his house and the towns people supporting his enterprenurship. Working together to make a better community. It was refreshing.
As we cruise among the historical towns that dot the Black hills area we were drawn in by the love of one’s country. Rapid City has a statue of each president on the street corners of downtown, Mt Rushmore a monumental sculpture as an ode to freedom and self governance, friendly smiles, and a sense of pride is felt in these history loving communities. We landed in Belle Fourche by happenstance and literally landed in the center of the nation. What a sweet surprise it was. Now, as we leave the Black Hills we take with us an appreciation for our fellow citizens who show a great love of where they come from and what they have. For it’s gratitude that makes life so sweet and celebration the icing on top.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bellefourchecitysouthdakota/IPE120216