The story
The first locomotive reached Spearfish through the canyon in December 1893 on what became the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy's Spearfish Line. What began as a working line for lumber and livestock became, by the early 1900s, mainly a tourist excursion railroad — round trips ran about $2.50, dropping vacationers at fishing spots in the morning and collecting them in the afternoon. The line made its final run on May 20, 1933; three days later a major flood washed out the track and the Burlington abandoned it. US-14A was built largely along the old grade.
Everything that was here
- 1893–1933
Burlington Spearfish LineRailroad
For 40 years a Burlington branch line hauled lumber, farmers, and $2.50 excursion tourists through Spearfish Canyon — until a 1933 flood washed it out and the state simply paved over the grade to make today's highway.
See the map in 1894 →
Did you know?
Connected places
Bridal Veil Falls
Savoy (canyon hamlet)
The Latchstring Inn
Dances With Wolves Winter Camp Site
Homestake Hydroelectric Plant No. 2
Explore the full web of connections on the map.
Nearby history
Homestake Hydroelectric Plant No. 1
D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery
Black Hills Passion Play
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
The Thoen Stone
Spearfish Historic Commercial District
Know something about Burlington Spearfish Line? An old photo, a date, a memory of what stood here before?
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