Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Spearfish unveils new signs for historic buildings

Spearfish Historic Preservation Commission
member Lennis Larson shows the sign for Lown
Mercantile, now the Bum Steer at 5th & Illinois
The Spearfish Historic Preservation Commission last week showed off some of the new historical markers that will be erected this spring and summer in the downtown business area.

Members of the commission, chaired by Greg Dias, displayed many of the new signs at the Spearfish City Council at their meeting on Tuesday (2/21/12).  Each of the 10 signs that were exhibited contains a narrative that talks about the building depicted on the sign.  The artwork was done by Spearfish native Kevin Miller.

"He's  wonderfully talented artist, and we really appreciate the great work that he's done for us," said Dias.   "We still have another six markers that need to be completed."

The markers that are done will be erected adjacent to the structures they tell about.  Included are:

  • Lown Mercantile (now the Bum Steer)
  • Mail Building (now Versatile Carpet)
  • Odd Fellows Hall (now NAPA Auto Parts)
  • American National Bank (now the Back Porch)
  • Old Spearfish City Hill (now an office building)
  • Spearfish Filling Station (still in operation as a service station)
  • Queen City Hotel (Bay Leaf Cafe)
  • Billiard Hall (Across the Pond Interiors)
  • Seth Bullock Building (Bridal Boutique and Prom Too)
  • Matthews Block (several businesses along Main Street)
For more information about the Spearfish Historic Preservation Commission, visit their website at: http://spearfishhpc.com/index.htm