Historic Homestake Hydro Plant in Spearfish Canyon Poised for Transformation

The South Dakota House of Representatives has approved a bill to transfer ownership of the historic Homestake Mine Hydro Electric Plant No. 2 in Spearfish Canyon to the Spearfish Canyon Foundation, aiming to repurpose the 1917 facility into an interpretive center.

 

Located near the popular Devil’s Bathtub hiking trail, the plant is considered a well-preserved "time capsule" of early 20th-century mining technology. Majority Leader Scott Odenbach, R-Spearfish, emphasized its potential as an educational resource on Lawrence County's mining history.

 

Constructed in 1917, the plant was part of a network supplying electricity to the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead. It operated for 85 years before being decommissioned in 2003, following the mine's closure in 2002. The facility was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on February 10, 2023.

 

Deputy Secretary Scott Simpson of the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks noted that the site does not align with the department's core mission and that the foundation is better suited to preserve and interpret the building's history. The proposed transfer includes 3.5 acres, with a reversion clause if the property is not used for public purposes.

 

Foundation supporters report that the building remains largely intact but requires repairs, including roof work, to prevent further deterioration. Foundation member Bob Ewing stated that the group plans to pursue grants and local support for renovations, without seeking state funding.

 

As the bill moves to the Senate, the community anticipates the potential transformation of this historic site into a vibrant educational center, enriching Spearfish Canyon's cultural landscape.