Rapid City is the Gateway to the intermountain west and was founded 1876 by a group of disheartened prospectors that had come to the Black Hills in search of gold. The city was named for the limestone spring stream that passes through the city and originates high in the Black Hills. In June, 1972, the city was struck by a severe flash flood after heavy rains caused the collapse of two nearby earth dams. More than 200 lives were lost and property damage was estimated at $120 million.

The economic base in Rapid City remains fundamentally the same as it was in the 1800's. Since it's beginning, Rapid City has been a center for commerce, culture, transportation, and education for the entire high plains. Rapid City enjoys a diverse economy that includes agriculture, forestry, government, tourism, healthcare, manufacturing and an extremely strong service sector.

The city is also the tourist center of the Black Hills and the gateway to many attractions, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Badlands National Monument, and Wind Cave National Park.

Interstate 90 is the main route for driving to the Black Hills, but you can also enter the area on east-west highways US 16, US 18, US 212, SD 34 or SD 40; and north-south highways US 85, US 385 and SD 79