Spokane can be found in the southern Black Hills' Custer County just off the Iron Mountain Road/Highway 16A very near it's intersection with the southern end of Forest Service Road 330. This is just north of northern border of Custer State Park and the Spokane Creek Campground. This is also very near the intersection with the "Playhouse Road" or Forest Service Road 753. GPS coordinates are N43-50.573 W103-23.031.
If you are on the Iron Mountain Road and come to the gravel Road 330, turn north, but only for a few yards before you will see a dirt road heading east into the trees with a secure Forest Service gate on it. Park here and hike up the gated road about one-half mile to find the first buildings. This is also a well-traveled horse path, so watch for four-legged traffic.
Spokane is probably one of the larger collections of ghost town buildings anywhere in the Black Hills. I did not even photograph every building I saw, and I'm guessing that I missed a few more scattered in the trees.
In Watson Parker and Hugh Lambert's book "Black Hills Ghost Towns," published in 1974, pictures show large headframe and mill buildings that I did not find. I wouldn't be surprised if they are no longer standing.
Spokane's schoolhouse is the largest building I did see. Unfortunately someone has stripped the siding and left it in danger of collapsing under a heavy snow or wind.
Very interesting is this root cellar (or bomb shelter, or dynamite storage facility?) with solid concrete walls and ceiling.
Most of the town is located in a fairly open valley, but wandering up the nearby tree-covered hillsides reveals more like this large house with a couple small mine pits in the yard.
An extra bonus for lovers of "old stuff," several cars are deteriorating along with the structures. One even has the looks of use as a race car before finding it's permanent resting spot here.
6 comments:
Wow, what an interesting series. Now I have something new (or should I say "old") to check out the next time I visit the Hills!
Thanks, that's right. There is a lot to explore out there. I know I haven't found it all, so there's always something new to be looking for.
I never knew the name of the place but I have been to Spokane many times. There is an old apple tree there that still bears fruit every year. Go at the right time and you can stuff your pockets with the little jewels.
Phil
www.twitter.com/perseid88
My Dad and my uncle spoke of Spokane many times but I never knew where to find it. Thanks Chad!!
We live right by Spokane and visit quite often. Did you find the gravestone of the guy who was killed in a dispute over a mining claim? I really like the old wallpaper still hanging on the inside of the homes.
I did find the grave! There's an awful lot of fun stuff to discover in that little area. I'm hoping to get back there sometime soon. Maybe I'll see what it's like with snow on it.
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