Mystic, South Dakota – Mining & Timber – Legends of America
Nestled along the serene Castle Creek in Pennington County, South Dakota, lies the historic ghost town of Mystic. Once a bustling mining camp and railroad hub, Mystic’s story is etched with the echoes of gold rushes, the clang of machinery, and the resilient spirit of its inhabitants.
The Allure of Gold and the Dawn of a Settlement
The year 1874 marked a pivotal moment in the region’s history when George Armstrong Custer’s 1,000-man Black Hills Expedition ventured into the valley where Mystic would later emerge. It wasn’t long before the area’s geological treasures were unearthed. In 1875, geologists discovered gold along Castle Creek, igniting the fervor of the Black Hills Gold Rush.
The following year, a modest mining camp took root along the creek, initially christened "Sitting Bull." By 1879, the settlement had grown to a population of approximately 100 individuals. However, the allure of more lucrative mining claims further north, particularly in Deadwood and Lead, soon drew miners away, hindering the town’s expansion.
Despite the exodus, placer mining sustained the Sitting Bull camp. In 1885, the town received official recognition with the establishment of a post office, and its name was changed to Mystic, possibly inspired by the town of Mystic, Connecticut.
Railroads and a Flourishing Economy
The year 1889 heralded a new era for Mystic with the arrival of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, the first railway line to penetrate the Black Hills. The establishment of a station in Mystic catalyzed further mining activities. By 1895, the town boasted a ten-stamp mill, with the Fairview Mine, located about a mile from the townsite, emerging as one of the most successful in the area.
In 1900, James Hartgering, a businessman from Rapid City, and investors from Chicago, Illinois, embarked on an ambitious project to construct a reduction mill in Mystic, investing around $1 million. The four-story Mystic Reduction Mill was strategically built beside the railroad tracks, incorporating a state-of-the-art electro-cyanide process. During a trial run, the crushed ore settled and solidified in the tanks. Undeterred, the investors remained committed to showcasing the process’s potential, drawing on its success in other regions. They shipped additional machinery to renovate the mill, and by 1901, the mill was capable of processing 150 tons of ore daily. A multitude of support buildings were erected to accommodate the large workforce required to operate the mill.
Mystic’s transportation infrastructure received a further boost in 1906 with the arrival of a second railroad, transforming the town into the western terminal of the Rapid City, Black Hills, and Western Railroad. Known as the Crouch Line, the 34-mile route from Rapid City traversed steep inclines, winding through 14 complete circles and crossing 100 bridges before reaching Mystic. The town soon became a bustling hub for transporting coal from Wyoming, as well as timber and gold ore from the Black Hills. Despite a flood in 1907 that washed out all but five bridges, the infrastructure was quickly restored, and the railroad line resumed operations.
In 1909, Mystic witnessed the deployment of the first electric placer-mining dredge in the Black Hills. The dredge, equipped with 78 buckets, worked tirelessly to excavate gravel from the creek, processing approximately 55,000 yards of earth each month. However, the operation proved too costly, and after a few months, the dredge was dismantled and shipped to Oregon.
Despite its purported 95% efficiency, the Mystic Reduction Mill operated sporadically. The mill charged around $6 per ton, with an additional 75¢ freight charge. While the exact reasons for its inconsistent operation remain unclear, administrators attributed it to customers who claimed they couldn’t transport large quantities of ore to the mill. Simultaneously, reports surfaced of frequent management changes as efforts were made to ensure the mill’s success. Ultimately, the mill was shut down, and its equipment was relocated to Glendall, near Keystone, South Dakota. The mill was demolished in 1913.
Timber Takes Center Stage
In 1918, the entrepreneurial Sanford brothers constructed a sawmill on the old foundations of the Mystic Reduction Mill. Just a year later, George Frink acquired the sawmill, operating it for the next 33 years. In the early years, horses were used to haul logs from their origin to the sawmill, and the finished products were transported by rail. With the advent of automobiles and larger trucks, logs and finished products were primarily shipped by truck. Over the years, the sawmill became the town’s economic mainstay as mining declined.
The increasing popularity of automobiles also boosted tourism in the Black Hills in the 1920s. Recognizing this opportunity, George Frink built several cabins for travelers passing through the area. During this time, even President Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace visited the town, arriving by railroad to visit a friend who owned a nearby cabin in 1927.
Community and Resilience
In 1930, the McCahan Memorial Chapel was erected by the Presbyterian Church, named in honor of a woman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who provided the funding. Frink’s Sawmill and the community’s men contributed the building materials and labor. Regular services were held until 1952, and the building is occasionally used for weddings and other religious events.
Frink’s Sawmill continued to operate throughout the Great Depression. As he owned a store in town, Frink allowed his employees to purchase supplies, deducting the cost from their pay. He also established bartering systems with loggers who didn’t work full-time. Frink faced additional challenges during these years, as floods frequently damaged railroad tracks and lumber stored at the sawmill. In 1936, the sawmill was destroyed by fire, but Frink persevered and rebuilt it.
Decline and Remembrance
However, Mystic experienced a gradual decline after World War II due to dwindling timber resources and the reduced need for coal. The Crouch Line ceased operations to Mystic, with the last passenger train departing in July 1947.
A few years later, George Frink closed the sawmill in 1952 and sold the equipment, marking the end of Mystic as a thriving community. The sawmill building was subsequently torn down, and the post office closed in 1954.
Despite the departure of businesses and most residents, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad continued to transport freight through the area until 1983, after which the tracks were removed.
Mystic Today
The Mystic Townsite District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It encompasses 14 buildings, including a granary, boardinghouse, office, tourist cabins, sheds, and chapel.
Today, the town is situated on Black Hills National Forest land, accessible via graded Forest Service Road 231. It serves as the starting point for the Mickelson Trail, a popular hiking path along the old railroad route that offers breathtaking views.
Mystic, South Dakota, stands as a testament to the ebb and flow of fortune, the enduring allure of natural resources, and the indomitable spirit of those who sought to carve a life in the heart of the Black Hills. Its remnants offer a glimpse into a bygone era, inviting visitors to step back in time and imagine the bustling community that once thrived in this now-serene landscape.