Rapid City, named for the limestone spring stream that passes through the city, was founded in 1876 by a group of disheartened prospectors who had come to the Black Hills in search of gold. John Brennan and Samuel Scott, along with a small party of men, laid out the site of the present-day Rapid City. They designated six blocks in the center of the site to be the business district and appointed committees to convince prospective merchants and their families to locate in the new settlement. Throughout the years, Rapid City has grown to be South Dakota’s second-largest city.
The economic base in Rapid City remains fundamentally the same as it was in the 1800s. Since its beginning, Rapid City has been a center for commerce, culture, transportation, and education. Rapid City enjoys a diverse economy that includes agriculture, forestry, government, tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, and an extremely strong service sector.
Rapid City is the seat of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (founded 1885) and National American University (founded 1941). The Journey Museum combines several collections in exhibits on pioneer history, the Sioux, and regional archaeology and geology. The Museum of Geology, on the mining school campus, includes displays of minerals and dinosaur skeletons found in the area. Reptile Gardens has one of the largest collections of reptiles in the world. Bear Country USA is a drive-through wildlife park with bears, bison, mountain lions, elk, wolves, and bighorn sheep. Ellsworth Air Force Base is located just northeast of the city; on its grounds is the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. A popular annual local event is the Central States Fair (August).
Called the City of Presidents for the many life-size bronze statues of former presidents scattered throughout the downtown area, Rapid City is the gateway to The Black Hills.
Rapid City boasts art galleries, fashionable boutiques, a variety of fine cuisine, craft breweries, and great entertainment from music to theatre all year-round. Main Street Square and its fountains is the city’s favorite get together location and outdoor entertainment hub, especially during the warm summer months.
No visit to Rapid City would be complete without dropping into the Prairie Edge Trading Co. one of the region’s premier outlets for Lakota arts and crafts. Located on the corner of 6th Street and Main Prairie Edge is a must for anyone interested in Native American culture. The store itself stands two stories high and stretches out for half a block as a brick, wood, and glass storefront that has been restored to its original 19th century glory. Inside, the hardwood floors and polished cabinets recall the spirit of the Old West, while the distinct smell of sweetgrass and soft sound of Lakota flute music evoke the mystique of The Great Plains.