News & Events
Originally posted in the Rapid City Journel.
70 years of the rally: Two wheels, seven decades, countless stories
In the beginning, there were the road racers, the fans and a few gawkers. And there was J.C. "Pappy" Hoel and his dream of the Black Hills Motor Classic.
Early gatherings included a 210-mile endurance run with the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club to the southern Black Hills. Entry fee was 50 cents.
At the start of a new century, almost 400,000 people attended the rally, as many coming to see the concerts as come to see the bikes. Today, a pass to see Bob Dylan and Kid Rock costs $70.
In the 1950s, it attracted people from across the country. Hall of Fame cyclist Dick Mann blew around the half-mile dirt track in 27.12 seconds. The 1960s found Sturgis offering free parking on Main Street for motorcycles.
Read the Full Story.
From the Rapid City Journel Opinion Page.
Sturgis focuses on a new future
THE ISSUE: City leaders in Sturgis are combining efforts and working to expand retail in town.
OUR VIEW: The city is moving in the right direction, and residents are happy to see the momentum.
The city of Sturgis continues its long march toward an economy based on retain, not rally.
It's a long time coming. Since the rally became a half-million strong after the 50th, the city itself hasn't been developed as other communities but rather, as one that hosts thousands of guests for a week in August. We're glad to see the focus shift and we can only imagine year-round residents are, too.
Just revently the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce and the Sturgis Economic Development Corporation released a list of potential retail/eating establishments that they will pursue to build on a prime spot near exit 32. The list - prepared by the marketing company Buxton Retail - includes a retailer, a theater and restaurants. It comes after months of planning and community meetings.
We hope the city is successful in its development efforts. We've been skeptical of the ability to expand retail in Sturgis due to real obstacles - two interstate lanes heading west to Spearfish and two lanes heading east to Rapid City.
But the city, the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sturgis Economic Development Corporation see opportunity, not obstacles.
Eighteen Thousand cars pass that exit each day, aafter all, and the drivers just need a reason to stop.
The efforts in Sturgis may well bear fruit. The chanber of commerce has taken an active roll in pursuing those businesses Buxton identified as potentials for the area. The chamber is also collaborating with the economic development corporation and the city to focus on development.
City energy and money could be the key to the efforts. The city has made development a focus and has invested taxpayer dollars for the purchase of two surplus plots from the Department of Transportation.
While there were concerns voiced about using taxpayer money for city-driven deals to attact business, the people don't seem to be overly bothered. Things are changing for the better, after all, and that's what should be expected from city leaders. And people in Sturgis are ready for change.
"The majority (of residents) want change," Sturgis Mayor Maury LaRue said. "That's what we're doing."
It looks like they're doing it right. Only time will tell if the city's efforts will be rewarded with a vibrant new retail base and a reason to pull off the interstate. The city leaders certainly seem to be doing the right work to guarantee the results they're after - we wish them success.
