Dinosaur Park hasn’t changed - thankfully NOTE: Former Rapid Citian Mari Richard Davis sent us this story about returning to Dinosaur Park.

eturning to Rapid City this year, my husband and I were fortunate enough to bring with us our Rdaughter Jannifer, her husband and our grandkids. Prior to leaving, I spent time getting my grandkids acquainted with the Hills and Rapid City. “This is a magical area. There are dinosaurs on hills, faces on mountains, waterfalls in caves and needles that cannot be threaded.” I wanted them to anticipate the uniqueness of the Black Hills so they would fall in love with the area as Ron and I had. When we arrived, I worried that I would find myself reminiscing about places that no longer existed, and although that was somewhat true, Dinosaur Hill had changed little – same stairs, same dinosaurs, same souvenir shop. I didn’t have to explain to them how to interact with the concrete creatures, just as no one told me how in the 1950s; I had only to relax and watch kids being kids. In the 1970s my nephew started a family tradition by having a photo taken of him with his foot caught in the mouth of one of the souvenir shop dinosaurs, so we each recreated that moment for him. As my husband and I scanned the vistas from the hill, I could see the hospital where I was born, my high school, my college and the M on the next hill that I had reluctantly helped whitewash. This hill, these dinosaurs, these vistas imprinted on my heart a long time ago and thanks to the stewardship of Rapid City, there is a place that is less hectic and less crowded that opened a lightness of spirit for us and for our children. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Movin’ on in! ith reconstruction of the porch and vestibule finished, the McGillycuddy Whouse rehabilitation project is movin’ on into the house. This past summer, volunteers Historic Rapid City Inc. located the original footings for the porch and markings on the President – Jean Kessloff sandstone walls, which helped us Vice President – Nancy Gowen Stones that were part of the identify where the vestibule and original foundation. Secretary/Treasurer – Trisha porch were originally located. Melahn Another find or clue was a photograph showing the porch “Understanding Old Buildings: The Board : Fred Thurston, Sylvia floorboards and how they were Process of Architectural Conrad, Paul Swedlund, Donovin constructed. After an excursion to Investigation,” walks you through Sprague, Bill Kessloff, Adriana various historic homes with the whole process from top to Gianturco Saltonstall, Jeff Reuppel, porches, we’re confident the bottom. Investigation, evidence Tom Slaughter house vestibule and porch look and record-keeping are a few of Advisory Committee: Melody pretty much like they did when the items covered. Sounds Jacobsen, Dave Stafford built. Movin’ on in means work has complicated, but it can be a whole started on the second floor inside, lot of fun. Finding doorknobs, where all that is left of original parts of stained glass and window February 2018, Issue 7 historic fabric is the floor. sash locks help a lot when piecing Researching historical floor plans together what the house looked The McGillycuddy House Newsletter is and finding evidence of lower wall like. Throw in an empty pack of published by Historic Rapid City Inc. If plate areas, we were able to piece Lucky Strikes and more than a few you have questions or comments, contact together the various rooms, empty alcohol bottles in the walls, Dan Daly at [email protected] closets and door openings. In and you have a good idea the or 605-431-7371. addition, we found wire grooves in workers enjoyed themselves. the floorboards used for Investigation also meant that we Historic Rapid City Inc. is a 501(c)3 electricity. needed to know more about who corporation. Donations are tax We are now framing, insulating designed the house and built it. deductible to the full extent of the law. and sheet rocking the walls along Four years of research led to an with installing electrical and fire 1887 Black Hills Weekly article. Stock donations: sprinklers. Primarily about the South Dakota If you would like to give stock or other Through this whole process, School of Mines, the last sentence securities to the project, contact Michelle volunteers were instructed to referred to a Thomas Henning Sterkel or Sandra Shaw at RBC Wealth watch for any piece of wood, who “is now constructing a Management. They can explain the best brick, sandstone, metal or any residence of stone, brick and way to do that. The telephone number is object that did not seem to be in a frame for Dr. M’Gillycuddy.” (sic) 605-343-7720. Donations are tax proper place. So we now have a Research of Thomas Henning has deductible, and the capital gains are not closet full of clues just waiting for yet to reveal who he was and taxable. us to find a home for them. where he came from. The National Park Service has a Learn more online: section called Technical Briefs. — JEAN OLESON KESSLOFF Essentially, they help with President historicrapidcity.org understanding and applying the Historic Rapid City Secretary of Interior’s Standards facebook.com/mcgillycuddyhouse for Historic Preservation. Brief 35, Sweet homecoming for former owners

hen newlyweds Daniel and Ruth Stanton, with their two dogs, WNani and Ruby, and cat, Scooby, left the McGillycuddy House heading for Boston, it was for all the right reasons. Daniel was invited to attend MIT to study for an advanced degree in Supply Chain Management, a specialized area of logistics. This was too valuable an opportunity, even if it meant leaving this house that they wanted so badly to help protect and restore. Daniel knew all too well when he bought the house in 2001, two years before he and Ruth were married, that Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy once grand house was seriously dilapidated. It was slowly being destroyed with no regard to its historical value or its meaning to the citizens of Rapid City and the Black Hills. Gramma Ann with the girls at the Journey Museum’s Daniel had researched the story McGillycuddy exhibit last summer. of Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy, knew of his accomplishments and commitment, but it was beginning presented with the pigeon-chasing his importance to Rapid City. to take shape. The rundown pretend owl that wasn’t keeping Photos from David Strain’s gem of houses on either side were any actual pigeons away anyway. a book about Rapid City’s history removed, and Mount Rushmore Seven-year-old Kayla’s souvenir showed just how beautiful the Road was being repaired and was a few rusty old square nails house had once been. This house beautified. Once again the from the project. She was a bit deserved to be saved. attractive McGillycuddy House puzzled as to why they were such Daniel immediately began stood out, proudly facing the a big deal -- Gramma Ann is making valiant efforts at north, but overlooking a very keeping those nails for when she restoration, but it soon became different downtown Rapid City is a bit older. Two-year old clear that this would be an than that which Dr. McGillycuddy Mayah, cute as a little button, likes expensive undertaking. Ruth had viewed. whatever her big sisters like, and joined him in 2003. For a young In July Daniel and Ruth returned just had a good time. couple, just starting out in life, it for a visit to Rapid City, this time The Stanton family appreciates was beyond all possibility. And with their three little girls, Kayla, what it will take to restore the then MIT beckoned. Aliya, and Mayah. What a happy McGillycuddy House to its former After a few years, Historic surprise it was to see their dream glory, on its way to becoming the Rapid City bought the property materializing. It took a little crown jewel of Rapid City’s and took over the project. With imagination to remember this as historical preservation projects. the efforts of some very dedicated the same house that the young volunteers, they began to raise Stantons had left. — ANN STANTON funds and gather resources to The girls thought it was great restore the McGillycuddy House. fun, especially Aliya, the 4-year-old It took massive amounts of owl enthusiast, who was 1015 12th Street Rapid City SD 57701

Become a member of Historic Rapid City Inc. Thank-You Notes Thanks to Gayle Opie, Fred Thurston, West River Masonry, Bodensteiner Just cut this out, fill it out and send it Beam Works, Weather-Tite Exteriors and members of Black Hills Historic in. Membership is an important way Preservation Trust for your help building the front porch. Also, we can’t to stay informed on our progress, forget Kerry and Kelsey Connor, Bill and Kathy Reishus and Brett Whealy for find out about special events and help in removing the previous porch. support this historic preservation project. Please submit your Thanks to Malon Insulation, Conrad’s Big “C” Electric, Hi Tech Mechanical, membership dues by March 1, 2018. Hydraulic Solutions, Horst Acoustical, Agan Drywall Supply and A&E Plumbing for making it possible to heat the McGillycuddy House. Also: NAME ______ West Blvd. Neighborhood Assoc. ADDRESS ______ Richard Bray

CITY ______ Mike Wilson  Barbara Thurston STATE/ZIP ______ Rob & Lorelle Fenton  Adriana Saltonstall EMAIL ______ Dan Daly  Modern Woodmen Individual ($30/year)  Gorenflo Family Family ($55/year)  Andy Ainslie-State Farm Corporate ($250/year) Insurance  VFW Post 1273 SEND TO:  Western Mailers Historic Rapid City Inc.  Brian Fisher 1015 12th St. Rapid City, SD 57701  Mark Skogerboe The crew from Black Hills Historic  Gotta Dance Preservation Trust.