Spearfish

Rimmed by Crow Peak and Lookout and Spearfish Mountains, like jewels in a crown, Spearfish, the Queen City, reigns over an area of scenic beauty. Originating from the Black Hills gold rush era, Spearfish has prospered from the days of the open range, its rich agricultural valley, the surrounding mining communities, and eventually tourism. Over 200 vintage photographs document its historical past. Scenic Spearfish Canyon and the Black Hills Passion Play attract thousands of tourists annually. Spearfish is the home of Black Hills State University, which began as a normal school and now has an enrollment of 3,900 students. The diverse appeal of this Northern Hills town has been its greatest asset.

Jan Cerney graduated from Black Hills State University in 1970. She has written five other titles for Arcadia Publishing, including Badlands National Park, Mitchell's Corn Palace, Gregory and Charles Mix Counties, Lakota Sioux Missions, and Pierre and Fort Pierre. Roberta Sago is the special collections librarian and archivist at the Leland D. Case Library for Western Historical Studies at Black Hills State University. She has held the position for four years. Previously she worked as the manuscript librarian for the University of Texas, El Paso, and held similar positions in Washington, D.C.