RAPID CITY
Rapid City, the gateway to the Hills, lies on Rapid Creek for which it is named, midway between its source in the Western Black Hills and its mouth, where it empties into the Cheyenne river. Its location is ideal from the standpoint of natural environment embracing, as it does, the rugged backbone of the hills and a foreground of rolling prairie. In early days pioneers were quick to see the natural advantages of the location for a town and their selection proved the later choice of railroad engineers, who have made it the central point for two great systems in western South Dakota. Four distinct lines radiate from Rapid City, viz: The Omaha division of the Northwestern providing connection with Deadwood on the North and the great South and Southeast. The Pierre division running to the state capital and Chicago. The Milwaukee has its terminal here. It runs southeast through the Bad Lands, the only railroad traversing this Wonderland of Nature, and on to Chicago. The Rapid City, Black Hills & Western has its headquarters in Rapid City, and is one of the most wonderfully constructed railroads in the country. It follows Rapid Creek west to Mystic, about thirty-five miles where it connects with the Burlington system. This is called the “Scenic” route of the Hills and affords tourists one of the grandest of pictueresque views to be had in the world. It is Colorado and the Grand Canyon in miniature.
_Rapid River just West of Rapid City_
Located as it is in a country blessed by nature Rapid City provides more amusement to lovers of the out door life than most cities. With a climate ofttimes as equitable in January as that of Southern California and with rainfall usually confined to the spring months out of door life finds here its perfect environment. The nights, owing to the altitude of nearly thirty-two hundred feet, are always cool, there being few in the hottest of the summer months when blankets are not needed. The absence of dew makes camping a delightful pastime and there is trout fishing, for those who enjoy the gentle art of Isaac Walton, as good as the country affords anywhere. Deer are plentiful in season and game birds, including grouse, partridge, quail and duck, are plentiful enough to make it worth the while of any follower of Nimrod.
Rapid City itself being thus favorably located is the center of business activity radiating east as far as the Missouri river and west, north and south to the boundaries of the Black Hills. It has the three requisites of a progressive and up-to-date growing city—first-class hotels, a new up-to-date theatre and a live newspaper. From the city all of the interesting points in the Hills can be reached by railroads, or by automobiles over roads which are being constantly improved.