2017-01-14 06:44:37
Center of the Nation Monument The beautifully situated town of Belle Fourche (pronounced ‘Bell Foosh’) touts its status as the “Geographic Center of the Nation.” A granite monument in a riverside park behind the Center of the Nation Visitor Center marks the town’s proximity to the geographic center of the nation’s 50 states. But historically, the community can be described as the Center of Cowboy Country – the rail hub where the great cattle herds of the Northern Plains were gathered and shipped east back in the heyday of the open range. That wild and free era drew to a close with the last big cattle roundup in the West, which occurred in Belle Fourche in 1902. The fencing of the range changed the nature of ranching, but it did not diminish its importance. The town remains a supply center for the vast livestock ranges in the surrounding tri-state area. As you mingle with local shoppers along the downtown streets or join the crowds at a local rodeo, remember – the cowboys are real and the area’s rural Western culture is vibrant. That culture is on full display during the Black Hills Roundup, one of the nation’s premier rodeo events, held annually over the Fourth of July weekend at the Belle Fourche rodeo grounds. The grounds host numerous local, regional and national rodeos throughout the summer. You can visit two bucking brothers, rodeo greats Marvin and Mark Garrett, as you stroll downtown Belle Fourche. Statues of each, bucking high on a rank bronc, stand on opposite corners. The artist is Tony Chytka, an area rancher and former rodeo bull riding champ himself. A visit to the Tri-State Museum, located at 415 Fifth Avenue in the same facility as the visitor center, gives vacationers a great overview of that heritage and early settlement in the corners of South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. After viewing the exhibits and browsing through the gift shop, go out back to the deck and down to the park where the 21-foot-diameter compass rose commemorates Belle Fourche as the Center of the Nation. TOP RODEOS PART OF SOUTH DAKOTA HERITAGE Black Hills Roundup Rodeos have a long and remarkable history in western South Dakota. Famed bronc rider Tipperary was from Harding County and legendary bronc rider Casey Tibbs hailed from Ft. Pierre. Top area rodeos include: • Black Hills Roundup, Belle Fourche: Held annually over the Fourth of July weekend, the Roundup is one of the oldest continuously held outdoor rodeos in America. www.blackhillsroundup.com • Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo, Rapid City: Jan. 27 - Feb. 5, 2017. www.blackhillsstockshow.com • Casey Tibbs Match of Champions, Ft. Pierre: The 2017 Match of Champions will be held on Saturday, June 3. www.caseytibbs.com • Days of ’76 Rodeo, Deadwood: Dates for 2017 are July 25 - 29. www.daysof76.com • Mount Rushmore Rodeo at Palmer Gulch: 2017 dates include: June 10, June 25, July 30, Aug. 19, and Sept. 3. www.palmergulch.com/rodeo Other area rodeos include: • Wild West Days, Sturgis (June) • Wall Celebration (July) • Boss Cowman, Lemmon (July) • SD Rodeo Association Finals, Rapid City (October) You can also enjoy rodeo competition at most county fairs throughout the Black Hills.
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