Monday, December 27, 2010

South Dakota - Terry Cemetery May Be Moved by Wharf Mine Expansion in Black Hills

Comments at end of article:


See dhsclassmates article how the Wharf Mine has consumed all the buildings in Trojan SD.  Nothing remains except the name of the town.  The price of gold is at an all time high and currently edging towards $1400 and ounce.  Wharf is now planning to extend its operation which may include digging and moving the approximately 244 bodies buried in the Terry Cemetery.  Local historical preservation groups are concerned about total loss of Trojan and now Terry:


Higher gold prices prompt Wharf surface mine expansion

Kevin Woster, Rapid City Journal staff | Posted: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 9:00 am

Wharf Resources (USA) wants to expand its surface-mining operations near Terry Peak in Lawrence County, a proposal that worries some nearby landowners.  The expansion could force the relocation of about 240 graves in the Terry Cemetery.

If the expansion plan were approved -- a probability that is still months away -- it would mine an area just north of the Barefoot Condominiums, close to Terry Peak. It would affect Green Mountain and Bald Mountain to the east. The existing mine operation at Foley Ridge, north of Terry Peak, went “right up to the ridge line. This expansion will go a little farther south, over the ridge line.

Wharf is the last large-scale gold mine continuing to operate in the Black Hills. Last year, it handled 10.4 million tons of waste rock, processed 2.9 million tons of ore and produced 67,700 ounces of gold. It also produced 242,000 ounces of silver.  The price of gold has to be at $600 to $700 per ounce for a mining company to “even consider” a mining expansion in the area with production costs these days. The proposed project could extend the life of the Wharf mining operations to about 2020. Operations were otherwise expected to cease in 2012 or 2013.

If Wharf is permitted to expand, it will need to put up bonds for reclamation, post-closure needs and cyanide spills. Those new bonds could be in addition to Wharf’s existing bond on existing operations -- $15.5 million for reclamation, $9.9 million post closure and spill bond of $537,000.  The bonds are intended to provide resources to pay for cleanup, reclamation and other needs if something goes wrong and the company doesn’t handle it.   The expansion could start late next fall if the application process proceeds and is approved without serious complications.

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster at rapidcityjournal.com


COMMENTS:


12-27-2010  Larry Miller "What price history? Well, at $1,300+ per ounce for gold, you can obliterate the remains of historic Trojan and set your sights on Terry. The Terry Cemetery can and should be preserved. Thanks for helping call attention to this issue."


2010 Deadwood Wall of Fame Inductees

The City of Deadwood and the Deadwood Historical Preservation Commission inducted Carlton Gorder and Harry Burger into the 2010 Deadwood Wall of Fame:


CARLTON O. GORDER
FEBRUARY 13, 1898
DECEMBER 17, 1981
Carlton Olaf Gorder, born and raised in Deadwood, was 19 years old when he took a job as a teller at the Deadwood Office of First National Bank of the Black Hills. By the time he retired, on his 65th birthday, he had advanced to the position of Vice President and Manager of the Deadwood Office.
Carlton O. GorderHis father, Carl Olaf Gaarder, was born in Norway and immigrated to the United States. The name was changed to Gorder in about 1885. Carlton's mother was born in Chicago. The couple came to Dakota Territory in 1887, and Carl worked as a quartermaster at the Fort Meade Commissary.
Carlton was born in Deadwood in 1898. He attended schools in Deadwood, graduating from Deadwood High School in 1915. In 1928, he married Rose Augusta Degner. They had three children, Carol Ann, Carlton Thomas and Robert Kirk.
Mr. Gorder was one of the most active banking leaders in the Northern Black Hills. He was President of the South Dakota Bankers Association and a member of the American Banking Association. He was a Director and President of the Franklin Hotel Company. In 1956, he was named “Boss of the Year” by the Deadwood Jaycees. For several years after retirement, he remained active on the First National Bank Board of Directors.
He was especially active in the Deadwood community. For more than 25 years, he served as Treasurer of the Deadwood Independent School District. From 1926 through World War II, he was Chairman of the Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross. From 1966 to 1977, Mr. Gorder was on the Lawrence County Commission.
Mr. Gorder also served as President or Chairman of several organizations, including the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, the Deadwood Rotary Club, the Lawrence County Savings Bond Committee, the County Airport Committee, the Deadwood Recreation Board, the Lawrence County Centennial Committee and the Days of '76 Calf Catching Committee. He was also active in groups such as the Elks Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Oriental Band and the advisory council for the Order of Demolay.
When he had time, Mr. Gorder enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding. During his lifetime, he had three horses, Rusty, Captain and Silver. His favorite was Captain. He especially loved to ride Captain in the Days of '76 Parade. During his tenure on the county commission, Mr. Gorder used to take Rose on long rides around the county to inspect the roads and see which ones needed repairs. He loved the beauty of the Black Hills, and enjoyed those rides a great deal.
Mr. Gorder was also an avid sports enthusiast. He loved football, baseball, basketball, boxing and golf. He was a big supporter of Deadwood High School teams and could often be found watching softball games in the summer.
HARRY STONE BERGER
AUGUST 29, 1894
AUGUST 17, 1980
During his 36 years as Superintendent of the Deadwood School District, Harry Stone Berger shaped countless lives and sent thousands of young people out into the real world with a solid head-start on life. Many students, after they graduated, realized belatedly what a positive impact he had on their young lives. Over the years he received numerous thank-you notes from former students.
Harry Stone BergerTheir Deadwood educations made it easier for them to get into colleges and universities, and the alumnae arrived on campus instilled with respect, compassion and a work ethic that served them well throughout their lives.
Berger was born Aug. 29, 1894, in Middletown, Missouri. He studied at the University of Northern Missouri, the University of Missouri, and the University of Colorado. He was a teacher and administrator in several Missouri school districts before arriving in Deadwood in 1928 to become the town's Superintendent of schools.
That same year, he married Lucille Walter. They had two children, son James Mark Berger and daughter Marilyn Jean Jordan.
Under Mr. Berger's leadership, Deadwood Schools were rated among the top schools in South Dakota. He achieved this through careful selection of faculty – he traveled to universities in five states to personally interview teaching candidates – high academic standards and a sincere concern for each student made the Deadwood Schools stand out.
In addition, he served as a role model for the entire community. He was a 50-year member of the Rotary Club, and served a term as President. He also belonged to the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, served as a board member of the United Methodist Church, was active in Masonic lodges and was a lifetime member of the Tomahawk Country Club. He served as the Western Division President of the South Dakota Education Association and was active in a number of professional organizations.
Those who knew him say that Mr. Berger's job was much more than a job. “Mr. Berger did not know what the term 'work day' meant," said one person. "To him, his job was his life, and he worked countless hours to create the quality learning environment that he was so successful in achieving."
Mr. Berger also worked behind the scenes to help Deadwood students and their families. He helped find jobs for out-of-work parents, provided Christmas surprises for children in need, left bags of groceries on doorsteps and figured out ways for needy students to get eyeglasses and dental care.
He loved animals, particularly his cocker spaniels Freckles and Bobby. A small statue of a cocker spaniel sits atop his grave in Oakridge cemetery.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Connie McCarroll's Memorial Service by Marge Bell DHS58

Yesterday was Connie McCarroll Austin’s memorial service.  She would have liked it – lots of good friends, tasteful decorations, beautiful flowers, good food, magnificent music.  Pastor Todd Hillard, Carole Rypkema’s son, provided a heartfelt eulogy that was both touching and entertaining, pointing out that some of the most important words in her obituary were “born and raised in Deadwood, South Dakota.”  Her daughter, Joy, read the poem “Christmas in Heaven.”  Soloist Wil Brown’s beautiful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer brought back memories of attending Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with Patty Williamson. 

I was in fifth grade when my mother and I moved to Deadwood.  Connie was the first person to make me feel welcome.  In the years that followed, we shared many an adventure – band, basketball tournaments, Jobs Daughters, Junior Clodhoppers, driving back and forth between Deadwood and the University of Arizona, moving to New York City, and moving down to Florida – but I think my overriding memory will be her gift of friendship to a bashful newcomer in the fifth grade.  She was like that.

Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote “…our friends are the continuous threads that hold our lives together.”  Rest in peace, friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connie died on Wednesday December 8, 2010.  Marge Bell contacted me with the sad news.  We agreed that it would be best to wait on Connie's obituary and have Marge write about the Memorial Service as a tribute to their life long friendship.  Marge is a fellow blog site author of the sea animal preservation site  http://www.spacecoastbeachbuzz.com/.

The December 12th issue Rapid City Journal printed the following obituary:

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Connie (McCarroll) Austin of Lake Mary passed away Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010. 

She was the daughter of Hugh and Emily McCarroll and was raised in Deadwood, S.D., where her father owned the Ben Franklin Store. She graduated from Deadwood High School and the University of Arizona. Following graduation she taught in Great Neck, N.Y., followed by teaching in Orlando. 

In 1965 she married William Fredrick "Bill" Austin and they had two children. Bill was killed in a plane crash in 1978. 

Connie was very involved in a multitude of community and civic 

activities and was also active in the Republican Party. 

In 1994 she married Don Rogers who survives. She is also survived by daughter, Joy, her husband, Alan, and granddaughter, Sydney; son, Rick; sister, Carol McCarroll Perry; and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving are cousins, Joan Myhren Hughes, Rapid City, S.D., Bob Myhren, Monument, Colo., Jeanne Myhren , San Clemente, Calif., and Kathy Myhren Henningsen, Las Vegas. 

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 14, at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando.

Deadwood Ben Franklin in the 1950's

The Florida Orlando Sentinel also added that Connie was chosen by President Reagan as one of 100 women to the National Women's Coalition to promote programs for women.  Carole Rypkema Hillard championed the same cause Internationally, until her accidental death a few years ago.  It is fitting that her son Pastor Todd Hillard presided at Connie's Memorial Service.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Deadwood's KDSJ Was Great! But After Sun Down You Could Dial In the Likes of Clint Texas Radio

Remember the good old days of radio listening in Deadwood? After sun down, those great Southern radio stations could raise their power to 50,000 watts and we could listen all night to stations like Clint Texas. Select and listen to the following classic radio recording. It sure brings back memories of some our core music of those golden times!

Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959) known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriterand a pioneer of rock and roll. Although his success lasted only a year and a half before his death in an airplane crash, Holly is described by critic Bruce Elder as "the single most influential creative force in early rock and roll." His works and innovations inspired and influenced contemporary and later musicians, notably The Beatles,The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, and exerted a profound influence on popular music Holly was amongst the first group of inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Holly #13 among "The Fifty Greatest Artists of All Time".

Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937-February 13, 2002) was an American country music singer,songwriter, and musician. He rose to prominence as a bassist for Buddy Holly following the break-up of The Crickets. Jennings escaped death in the February 3, 1959, plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, when he gave up his seat to Richardson who had been sick with the flu. He continued to be active in the recording industry, forming the group The Highwaymen with Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. In 2001 Waylon was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a band leader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. Adept at tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, he was best known for his distinctive riffs and solos such as on "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Memphis Soul Stew". King Curtis enjoyed playing jazz and rock but decided he would make more money as a rock musician. From the 1950s until the mid 1960s, he worked as a session player, recording under his own name and with others such as the Coasters, with whom he recorded "Yakety Yak." Buddy Holly hired him for session work, during which they recorded "Reminiscing.

George Manley Atwood (1924 – 2005) has packed a lifetime into the music profession in every style & also in the business sense. He received a Purple Heart during his service in the Navy during World War II, and was also well known in Lubbock for his work at KLLL Radio and appearing on television as Go-Ee The Clown. Having worked with Gene Krupa, The Dorsey Brothers, Roy Orbison, Eddy Arnold, and Buddy Knox, he was for years a session musician at Norman Petty Studios. In late 1958, he played bass on Buddy Holly's recordings. George was inducted into the Norman Petty Studios Hall Of Fame June '99 and received
the award at his home, as well as the Mayor declaring it George Atwood Day in Jerome, ID.


."

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Deadwood's Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center to open June 2011

Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC) has met the $3.6 million capital campaign and Governor Mike Rounds’ fundraising goal to establish the center in Deadwood. The grand opening of the HARCC will be held in June 2011. The building is the Thorpe Gold Jewelers Building built on upper Sherman Street near the old Railroad Round House. The building has been unused and empty for years. Now it will serve as a wonderful historical addition to Deadwood.


The Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC) has the opportunity to protect and make accessible for the first time ever the history of the Homestake Mining Company. The 10,000 cubic foot Homestake Mining Company archival collection is of national significance. While there are many aspects that make the Homestake Mining Company unique, it is also representative of an industry of iconic proportions that dominated and helped settle much of Western America. Mining deeds, land claims, mineral surveys, annual reports, exploration and production records, photographs, assay ledgers, timber contracts and a plethora of other mining-related documents, dating from 1876 to 2002, detail the company’s 126-year history in Lead, South Dakota and far beyond.


Founded within two years of one of the last notable gold rushes in North America, the Homestake Gold Mine was the commanding economic engine of the Black Hills region as the largest single producer of low-grade ore for gold bullion in the world. Mining magnate George Hearst owned and operated the Homestake Mine with subsidiary mines throughout the Black Hills, the country and eventually around the world. Hearst—a wealthy California businessman, United States Senator and father of famed newspaperman William Randolph Hearst—is one of the leading contributors credited with development of the modern processes of quartz mining, as well as improvements and advances that revolutionized mining technology on a national and international scale.

As the newest entity affiliated with the Adams Museum & House, Inc., HARCC will serve as a destination that will appeal to geologists, paleontologists, archaeologists, genealogists, historians, authors, scholars and the general public. It will be a testament to the mining industry that helped shape America, allowing it to grow into an industrial nation. It will become a research center with a reputation for thoroughness assisting in multi-disciplined fields of study that will expand HARCC’s creditability as a national resource, and, by its very nature, create greater research opportunities on a state and national level. HARCC will become a facility designed to host classes taught by state and national institutions of higher education focusing on the vast array of in-house materials. HARCC will provide museum environmental standards allowing it to host both permanent and traveling exhibits of interest to scholars, tourists and members of the community. Lastly, HARCC will provide a unique perspective of the Black Hills that goes hand-in-hand with the work being done by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority, Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (SUSEL) and the National Science Foundation and its Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL).

Photos by BillB
Select on image for slideshow




Comments:

11-16-2010 Dick - as always,thanks for keeping us all up-to-date. The site looks lovely, and that's a terrific header graphic.  marg

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Old Deadwood Slime Plant is now the Deadwood Mountain Grand


Deadwood Mountain Grand

Hotel, Event Center, & Casino

The Black Hills' premiere large-scale entertainment venue:

Housed in the completely refurbished 1905 Homestake Mining Co. Slime Plant where millions of dollars in gold ore was recovered in a century of operations, the Deadwood Mountain Grand represents one of the largest historic preservation projects in the U.S.
From its contemporary 100-room hotel overlooking the heart of the fabled gold mining camp, and its state-of-the-art casino, to its 2,500-seat entertainment and Event Center and an exceptional restaurant, the Deadwood Mountain Grand is the preferred site for your next meeting, convention or romantic get-away.
Accomodations:
From its creekside lobby to mining artifacts from yesteryear, staying at the Deadwood Mountain Grand is an experience that will be remembered long after the Black Hills have faded in your rearview mirror.

Perched on a mountain in the middle of the city, the spacious luxury hotel features 100 rooms, including eight lavish suites with balconies. Each room was designed to afford guests with commanding views of the National Historic District of Deadwood, as well as Mt. Moriah Cemetery, the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and other legends of the West.
Guest amenities include a swimming pool and workout room, as well as elevator and stair access to the Deadwood Mountain Grand's signature Event Center, casino, restaurant and bars. On-site parking accommodates 325 vehicles for guest convenience.
Today's images by JanetT


See Deadwood Mountain Grand

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Black Hills History Discovered by Ann Stanton

[Ann+Huber+Stanton.jpg]
Ann Haber Stanton
South Dakota Jewish Historian
Photo courtesy Ann Stanton


My dear friends and family,

My book is in the publisher's hands and my self-imposed solitary confinement of the past month or two has at last ended. Whew! Of course, now comes the editing.

Title: Jewish Pioneers of the
Black Hills Gold Rush; the First Fifty Years.

It'll be another year before it sees daylight.
Arcadia, the publisher, is doing quite well with this series of local histories (covers mostly the midwest and the west , I think); unfortunately, it's not so rewarding to the authors. At least the story will be out and people won't go around saying baloney like what I've seen on the web: "there was only one Jew in Deadwood and that was Sol Star." Bullfeathers!

I feel honored to be the one who finally gets to tell this story. It'll be an easy read, 'cause this is mostly pictures.

Think "JEWISH PIONEERS OF THE BLACK HILLS GOLD RUSH" and please wish me luck!

Ann

DickD Comment:

Ann’s long term vision, discovery, and planning is many years old. I have known of her book activity for several years. It is very exciting for me today that her efforts are now announced. Ann’s amazing historical and writing ability proves that fresh new history is always waiting to be discovered.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Buffalo Gap SD ~~ Vista Views and Foliage by Lilah Pengra

Select on picture for slide show.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Glenrose Gravelle DHS58 Died Unexpectedly on October 3, 2010

PLAY ONLY ONE VIDEO AT A TIME

"THE ROSE" by Nana Mouskouri



Glenrose Ann Gravelle
May 12 1940 - Oct 03 2010




Glenrose Ann Gravelle DHS58, 70, passed away unexpectedly October 3, 2010 at her home in Marco Island, Florida. Glenrose was born in Fairplay, Colorado on May 12, 1940, and later moved to Central City, South Dakota with her parents, the late Harvey Glenn Hill and Doris Allene Cole.

She attended grade school in Central City and graduated from Deadwood High School in 1958. During high school, Glenrose began work as a telephone operator, and remained employed with the Deadwood Telephone Company for 10 years. She later did administrative/office work for Carpenter Steel in Denver, Colorado, and for Moen Faucets and Ethan Allen Furniture in Lorain, Ohio.

Glenrose was a “late bloomer,” and at age 40 returned to school at Lorain Community College and graduated as a registered nurse in 1985. Afterward, she worked in the labor and delivery unit of Firelands Memorial Hospital in Sandusky, Ohio. During her retired years, Glenrose made it her mission to ensure her family, friends, and even complete strangers were recipients of her many unsolicited acts of generosity and love.

Glenrose was married to Vincent Gravelle on December 17, 1960, and he and their three loving daughters survive her. They are Vicki Anderson and her husband, Jerry; Laurie Young and her husband, Ron; and Cynthia Godwin and her husband, Lee. Glenrose was also blessed with eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Also surviving are her two sisters, Kathleen Stones of Platteville, Colorado, and Linda Miller of Cocoa Beach, Florida; a maternal aunt, Ruth Painter of Cedaredge, Colorado, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifetime friends.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, October 8, 2010 at Kirk Funeral Home, 1051 East Minnesota St., Rapid City, SD 57701 and then for one hour before services. A celebration of Glenrose’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 9, 2010, at the funeral home with Fr. Bill Zandri officiating. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in Spearfish.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ALS TDI on behalf of “Friends of Bob” in memory of her nephew, Bob Beshara.

On-line condolences can be made at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Trojan SD 1914 School House ~ the Last Building Standing has been Demolished!


Wharf Resources (USA) Inc. operates the Wharf open pit gold mine and heap-leach operation in the Bald Mountain Mining District of South Dakota. The property consists of several areas of adjoining gold mineralization amenable to open pit mining. Wharf resources holds title to the surface and mineral rights of the claims. All of the Wharf Mine’s total proven and probable mineral reserves are on patented claims. In 2009, gold production from the Wharf Mine amounted to 68,000 ounces of gold. Positive exploration results have extended the mine life to approximately 2014. This picture shows the major scope of this open pit mining activity near Terry Peak.

Trojan School House built in 1914



This recent picture shows the extent of how the Wharf Mine has nearly consumed the last building standing of what remained of the old skiing town of Trojan SD.

A valiant effort to save the 1914 School House was conducted by the Lawrence County Historic Society President Jerry Bryant, Mrs. Donna Watson along with many other concerned people.

A few weeks ago, the building could no longer be protected nor enough money raised to move it to possible donated sites. Sadly, the Trojan School was demolished and the town of Trojan ceased to exist except as a dot on the map close the Nevada Gulch.

This fate of destruction is all too often the end of many old buildings and structures in the Black Hills. Jerry Bryant’s quest to save old buildings and structures is also supplemented by his archeological vision to discover and protect historical artifacts buried in the remains of long forgotten structures. Bryant observed that Donna Watson is tirelessly pursing many conservation and preservation activities. Between her and her brother, they are the emotional ground movers for many issues in the Black Hills.

Jon Crane, a Hill City artist, founded the Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust. The Trust is actively preserving the Meeker Ranch and Gold Mountain Mine. The Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission recently made a strategic grant to the Meeker Ranch reroofing effort.

South Dakota Historic Preservation Advocacy Day - Last January 21, Preservation advocates took to the South Dakota State Capitol for Historic Preservation Advocacy Day organized by the Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust, Preserve South Dakota and National Trust. Supporters of historic preservation visited with legislators about historic preservation issues and benefits in communities across South Dakota.
Advocacy Day will become an annual event and is open to participants dedicated to building a voice at the State Legislature for historic preservation in South Dakota. Please join them in 2011.