Down Memory Lane

5 YEARS AGO, 2017

— After going more than a year without a pastor, Community Lutheran Church was excited to welcome Jeremy Duprey as their new pastor. Duprey, his wife and children were living in Big Timber, Montana, when he was chosen to come to Hill City. He started the new job on Aug. 1 and said the size of the town and the location were big draws for him and his family.

-- Carrie Ingalls Swanzey’s 147th birthday was celebrated on Aug. 3 at the Keystone Museum. To celebrate the museum had a covered wagon cake made of cupcakes and activities for children, such as necklace making, name-card making and pioneer-related picture coloring.

 

10 YEARS AGO, 2012

— Though Gov. Dennis Daugaard had been to Hill City many times before, he came on official state business as Hill City was honored by becoming “Capital for a Day.” Daugaard; his wife, Linda Daugaard; Kris Erickson, Daugaard’s correspondence manager; Jim Hagen, Secretary of Tourism; and Chris Maxwell from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) spent about seven hours in town, shaking hands, talking with individuals and addressing groups of people. Members of the community gave a warm welcome to the governor and his entourage as they stopped first at the Hill City Senior Center for rolls and coffee. Daugaard and his wife circulated around the room, shaking hands with individuals, listening to their comments and requests and even sharing a laugh or two. The governor took the opportunity to address the entire group by reading the proclamation making Hill City “Capital for the Day” and sharing his fondness for the community and surrounding area .

---The Naked Winery had a ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming the business to the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce. Owner Kim Livingston and her husband, Rob, marketing director of Naked Winery, had help from their granddaughter, Tatum, when it came time to cut the ribbon.

---The Deerfield Road project, which some area residents believed had gone on too long, was finally coming to completion. The stripes were on the road, but a little work remained as flag people were still out. 

 

15 YEARS AGO, 2007

— Thomas the Tank Engine was in Hill City to lead the 1880 Train and offer rides to those who would like to experience a closer connection to the famous storybook character in the Thomas series. Written by the Rev. W.V. Awdry, the railway series of books was first published in England in 1946, which led to the British television series and an American spin-off called “Shining Times Station.”  Each 25 minute trip traveled up Tin Mill Hill and back down again.

--Kendra Edmonds and Shane Alexander, both of Hill City, announced their engagement. Kendra’s parents are Charlie and Wendy Edmonds. Shane’s parents are Sheila and Leon Gillespie and the late Mike Alexander .

--Dawn Harrington of Hill City was the local candidate for the 2007 Miss Teen of South Dakota Scholarship and Recognition Pageant held in Pierre. Dawn is the daughter of Tammy Harrington, Sundance, Wyo., and Randy Harrington, Hill City.

 

20 Years Ago, 2002 

— Bike week officially began! Cars and bikes inched along, waiting to enter Hill City on Hwy. 385/16. The line of traffic began at the Keystone intersection and continued to slow toward Hill City.  Doug Groves, a Hill City resident, said, “It took me half an hour to get into Hill City from Three Forks.  Usually that’s a five minute drive. I’ve never seen it like this before.”

--Marian Mathews signed copies of her book, “Sweet Thunder,” a story about motorcycles and the passion people have for them.  This was her first book.

--During the early hours, the beer garden behind the Mangy Moose Saloon was damaged. An unidentified party stole three Budweiser banners and all tables were overturned. The banners were donated by Budweiser, but every night since Aug. 1, the banners were again slashed and tables were repeatedly overturned.  Police investigated the dumpsters in Hill City, but found nothing. 

 

25 Years ago, 1997

— The crowds for the Sturgis Rally seemed to be a little older and mellow. At times, Main Street was solid motorcycles from Heart of Hills Exxon station to the school, plus on side streets downtown.

--Brandon Adam Dailey was born to Chris and Angie Dailey. He weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces and was 20 inches in length. Grandparents were Kelly and Reyne Kaufman of Custer, Peg Dailey of Custer and Mike and Jan Dailey of Hill City.

 

30 Years ago, 1992 

— Sufficient evidence was found to implicate someone in the robbery of First Western Bank in Hill City. Evidence included marked bills taken from the bank, a ski mask and a revolver. Bourne was arrested about 40 minutes after the Hill City robbery occurred.

--Doug and Linda (Fedderson) Perry had a baby boy and named him Wyatt Douglas. He weighed 9 pounds 7 ounces. He joins a sister, Justine, and brother, Austin.

 

35 Years ago, 1987

— Crazy Days started in Hill City on Tuesday and ran until Saturday. Most Hill City merchants had “crazy” specials and savings throughout their stores and they set up sidewalk displays to allow convenient browsing. 

 

45 Years Ago, 1977 

—A Green Bay, Wis., family received injuries in a cave-in at the Big Thunder Gold Mine tourist attraction in Keystone, with four members requiring hospitalization at Rapid City Regional Hospital. They were struck by falling rock and trapped inside. Jim Hersrud, owner of the mine, halted the practice of permitting tourists to mine the ore for samples.

--A fire swept through the World of Wood, Terry Bottjen’s painting area and the Reservation House in Keystone. The Hill City fire department came to the fire with two trucks, both of them carrying water to assist. Keystone did not have a municipal water system and hence no hydrants to hook onto for firefighting. 

 

50 Years Ago, 1972

—Former residents of Hill City, Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Tillman, announced the engagement of their daughter, Wanda, to Richard Swift, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Swift of Lakewood and Ouray, Colo. Mr. and Mrs. Art Gould are grandparents of Wanda.

--Mr. and Mrs. Glen Bradley of Scotland visited the Allan Bradley family.