Summer Information For Lead In South Dakota






May 16, 08

Lead
South Dakota

Black Hills Gold

Lead is located in western South Dakota. The town's name comes from its history of gold mining. The same lead, or lode, has been turning out gold since 1876. And its name is quite fitting since the town wouldn't even exist without the Homestake Gold Mine, located 8,000 feet below the surface.

People came from all over when the word spread that there was gold in the Black Hills. Many men found their fortune here, including publisher William Randolph Hearst's father, George Hearst.

The town is surrounded by the Black Hills National Forest, which offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including camping, mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking.

The forest encompasses more than 1.2 million acres of terrain. Hikers can enjoy endless miles of trails. One of the most popular is the Centennial Trail. This 111-mile route runs the length of the Black Hills.

The area easily lends itself to several scenic drives, including the Peter Norback Scenic Byway and the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

A Rich Mining History

Those wishing to get a look at the rich mining history this town has to offer can visit the Black Hills Mining Museum. Take a guided tour through a simulated gold mine, or pan for gold yourself. Various exhibits use historic photographs, displays and videotape presentations to take visitors through the region's mining history.

The famous Homestake Gold Mine offers tours as well. This is one of the largest and oldest underground mines in the country. More than 350,000 ounces of gold are taken out of this mine every year.

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