The Gold Rush Byway denotes the discovery of gold in the Black
Hills of South Dakota in 1874. When the Army stopped enforcing
the treaty reserving the Black Hills for the Sioux Indians,
miners began to pour into the gold regions. Until 1881, the
267-mile Sidney-Deadwood Trail carried the bulk of the traffic,
supplies, and gold to and from the mining towns of Deadwood and
Custer from Sidney. During 1878 to 1879 alone, over 22 million
pounds of freight moved along the Sidney-Deadwood Trail. Gold
shipments worth up to $200,000 each moved south from the Black
Hills to Sidney and the railroad.
Part of the CANAM Highway (U.S. 385) that stretches from Mexico
to Saskatchewan, Canada, the Gold Rush Byway follows one of the
most historic and scenic routes through America's heartland. The
traveler is rewarded with a number of panoramic vistas-valleys,
gently sloped hills, rolling plains, sand hills, buttes and
pine-covered canyons. Along this byway, you'll see unique
scenic, historical, recreational, cultural and archeological
features. From beautiful lakes, lazily flowing rivers, and
national forests to bustling communities, art centers and
museums, this byway will entice you off the beaten track.
The Gold Rush Byway, extending from the Colorado border north
to the South Dakota border, offers extensive Native American,
military, westward expansion, and natural history. |
