On the Narrow Gauge and Beyond : The Homestake and Northern Black Hills

Venture into the Black Hills where military expeditions, gold rush dreams, and daring business endeavors shaped a rugged legacy. Self-guided tours traverse historic sites like the iconic Homestake mine, railroads, and territorial landmarks, offering an immersive journey through centuries of adventure. Explore every chapter of this vibrant past.

From military expeditions to gold mining boomtowns, outlandish business ventures to stunning national parks, the Black Hills teem with history as rich as their natural beauty. Inspired by field trips that he organized at Black Hills State University, David A. Wolff has distilled decades of experience exploring, researching, and teaching the history of this majestic region into accessible and informative self-guided tours. Thousands of gold miners hoped to make their fortunes in the Black Hills, but only a handful of mines carried such riches. Peerless among them was the Homestake, which became one of the largest gold mines in the world. On the Narrow Gauge and Beyond details the impact that the Homestake, the railroads, the timber companies, Fort Meade, and other crucial enterprises had on the Northern Black Hills. Featuring maps by the South Dakota Department of Transportation and dozens of photographs, Wolff’s historical synopsis provides just the right amount of context for each site on the route, along with precise mileage and directions. By tour’s end, you will have completed a mini-course in Black Hills history!