Now for a little history....

Lead became, and now is becoming what it is due to the Homestake Mine.





The Homestake Gold Mine was one of the early enterprises associated with the Gold Rush of 1876 in the northern Black Hills of what was then Dakota Territory. The mining community of Deadwood was the center of the gold fever, with tents, sawmills, log houses and saloons springing up seemingly overnight. But the real action would happen three miles away "over the hill" where brothers Fred and Moses Manuel and their partner Hank Harney located their Homestake claim on April 9, 1876. Moses liked what he saw in an outcropping of a vein of ore, referred to as a lead and pronounced "leed". Soon more prospectors materialized, and no time was lost in selecting a site for a new town. On July 10th work began on laying out the town lots, and that work was completed the next day. Miners were offered the lots, 50x100 feet, but were required to build on the lots in 60 days or forfeit them. That spurred many on to build on the front half and then sell the back half. Progress came quickly. Telegraph service began December 1st and by early 1877 four hotels, a grocery store, saloon, bakery and butcher shop were up and running.





With a population of 8,392 in 1910, Lead was the second largest community in South Dakota. The employment opportunities for not only miners, but also laborers and mechanics were excellent. The Homestake Opera House and Recreation Building were constructed as gifts to the community from the company. Tickets had to be purchased for events in the Opera House, but the use of the swimming pool, bowling alley, meeting rooms and library was free. I look forward to going to a show at the Opera House.





The city and its residents prospered as a result of the mine. In the early 1930's, as the rest of the nation suffered economic hardship throughout the Great Depression, the management of Homestake set a shorter work week with an increase in wages, and provided end of year bonuses to workers.





During World War II, gold mining operations were suspended by order of the War Production Board. The young men of the city joined the armed forces, moved to locations where copper mines were operating or worked in airplane factories. The older men who remained in what was by then an almost deserted town worked in the Homestake foundry or machine shop producing goods needed for the war effort, including parts for airplanes, wrenches and hand grenades.





In September of 2000 a Homestake Mining Company spokesman announced that the mine would close. In January of 2002, the Homestake Gold Mine finally shut down after more than 125 years in business.

Lead was built up so fast that some houses seem right on top of each other. Some of the roads are very steep and not even plowed in the winter for ones own safety. I will post more town shots later..it's quite quaint.