Spearfish, South Dakota
20 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1894 and the latest in 1961. It stands in the North Lawrence unorganized territory. It lies in ZIP code area 57783. It lies near Hungry Hollow Gulch. The Survey maps it on the Spearfish quadrangle. 12,193 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 3,648 feet above sea level.
On record in Spearfish
Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.
On the National Register 12 of 37 shown
Frawley Historic RanchNational Historic Landmark · listed 1974
Oliver N. Ainsworth Houselisted 1990
Baker Bungalowlisted 1996
Fayette Cook Houselisted 1988
James A. Corbin Houselisted 1990
Henry Court Houselisted 1990
Eleazer C. and Gwinnie Dickey Houselisted 1989
Walter Dickey Houselisted 1988
William D. Driskill Houselisted 1989
Episcopal Church of All Angelslisted 1976
Halloran-Matthews-Brady Houselisted 1976
Homestake Workers Houselisted 1991
Population over time
2 figuresSpearfish grew from 10,494 to 12,193 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 10,494 | |
| 2020 | 12,193 | +1,699 (+16%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
8 surveys from 20 printed sheetsMatched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.
- 1894 USGS Deadwood quadrangle1:125000, 2 printings
- 1900 USGS Spearfish quadrangle1:62500
- 1901 USGS Deadwood quadrangle1:125000, 2 printings
- 1915 USGS Spearfish quadrangle1:62500, 2 printings
- 1916 USGS Deadwood quadrangle1:125000, 3 printings
- 1953 USGS Rapid City quadrangle1:250000, 3 printings
- 1957 USGS Rapid City quadrangle1:250000
- 1961 USGS Spearfish quadrangle1:24000, 6 printings
Fires near this place
125 since 1994Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 125 fires within 5 miles of Spearfish between 1994 and 2020, burning about 2,404 acres in total. 36 started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Natural | 36 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 26 |
| Debris and open burning | 22 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 19 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 11 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 7 |
| Smoking | 1 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 1 |
| Fireworks | 1 |
| Other causes | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 September 2019 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression | BADGER |
| 7 September 2003 | Natural | under an acre | South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression | not named |
| 6 September 2009 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1.5 acres | Black Hills National Forest | RIM ROCK |
| 6 September 2003 | Other causes | under an acre | South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression | not named |
| 4 September 1994 | Recreation and ceremony | under an acre | Black Hills National Forest | EIGHT BALL |
| 22 September 2008 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1.0 acres | South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression | not named |
| 17 September 2002 | Natural | under an acre | South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression | HOOF |
| 16 September 2005 | Power generation/transmission/distribution | under an acre | South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression | not named |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Mines and quarries near this place
8 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 8 workings within 5 miles of Spearfish: 5 past producers, 3 producers. 3 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone, Crushed/Broken, Limestone, General, Calcium. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Lime Plant | Calcium | Past Producer | ||
| Lewis Lime Quarry | Limestone, General | Past Producer | 1900 | |
| Nat'L Alabaster Co. Mine | Gypsum-Anhydrite | Past Producer | ||
| Spearfish Sandstone Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | Sandstone | |
| Spearfish Sandstone Quarry | Flagstone | Past Producer | ||
| Strawberry Hill Mine | Talc-Soapstone | Producer | ||
| Hansen Pit No 1 | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Meink Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer |
Storms near this place
60 of 195 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Spearfish in 195 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 135 hail, 43 thunderstorm wind, 5 flood, 4 lightning. The reports record 1 death and 7 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2015 | Lightning | Spearfish | 1 killed, 1 hurt | no account filed |
| August 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | 6 hurt, $9,500,000 | no account filed |
| July 2011 | Hail | Spearfish | $2,000,000 | Large hail damaged vehicles and buildings in Spearfish. |
| June 2003 | Hail | Spearfish | $1,000,000 | Some hail damage to homes and automobiles in Spearfish. |
| June 2013 | Hail | Spearfish | $500,000 | Hail damage occurred in Spearfish, including broken skylights in a large discount store. |
| August 2008 | Hail | Spearfish | $100,000 | Golf ball sized hail was 12 inches deep on road and accumulated two feet deep in ditches. The combination of hail and strong winds broke windows and siding on a house. |
| June 2013 | Flood | Spearfish | $50,000 | Redwater River, Spearfish Creek, False Bottom Creek, and other streams in the Spearfish area experienced flooding. Minor flooding occurred in the Spearfish City Park. Red Hill Road at Crow Creek, Sanford Road into Beulah, and Homestake Road at the Bear Creek Bridge were flooded and several culverts were damaged. |
| August 2008 | Hail | Spearfish | $50,000 | Wind gusts were measured at 54 mph. |
| June 2013 | Hail | Spearfish | $30,000 | no account filed |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | $20,000 | Large pine trees, spruce trees, and power poles were broken along the eastern rim of Spearfish Canyon. The worst damage occurred from Bridal Veil Falls to Victoria Lane. |
| April 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | $5,000 | A local radio station reported several reports of tree limbs down and shingles blown off roofs in town. One window was broken by flying debris. |
| May 2007 | Hail | Spearfish | $2,000 | Hail damaged vehicles and trash cans. |
| June 2013 | Hail | Spearfish | $2,000 | no account filed |
| August 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | $1,000 | no account filed |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Public measured wind gust. |
| June 2023 | Flash Flood | Spearfish | - | Runoff from heavy rain caused considerable damage in Spearfish. Numerous roads flooded and asphalt buckled on portions of Main Street and Jackson Boulevard. The USGS gage, Spearfish Creek at Spearfish, recorded its fifth highest level since 1947 with a flow of 1900 cfs. Damage was reported at several locations, including the DC Booth National Fish Hatchery and a private apartment complex. |
| June 2023 | Flood | Spearfish | - | Runoff from heavy rain caused considerable damage in Spearfish. Numerous roads flooded and asphalt buckled on portions of Main Street and Jackson Boulevard. The USGS gage, Spearfish Creek at Spearfish, recorded its fifth highest level since 1947 with a flow of 1900 cfs. Damage was reported at several locations, including the DC Booth National Fish Hatchery and a private apartment complex. |
| May 2022 | Hail | Spearfish | - | The ground was covered with hail, mostly dime size or less. |
| May 2022 | Hail | Spearfish | - | A lot of marble sized hail, with a few near ping pong ball size. |
| July 2022 | Hail | Spearfish | - | Windows were broken by the combination of large hail and wind. |
| July 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Half inch sized hail also fell with the storm. |
| June 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Time estimated from radar. |
| June 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | The roof was partially torn off a house, windows were broken, and trees were damaged. |
| July 2019 | Hail | Spearfish | - | Hail to baseball size fell over a 15 minute period. |
| July 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Wind gusts were estimated near 60 mph. |
| July 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Wind gusts were estimated at near 70 mph. |
| July 2018 | Flash Flood | Spearfish | - | Flash flooding occurred west of Spearfish and on the Redwater River along the Butte-Lawrence County line. A river gauge on Redwater Creek at the Wyoming and South Dakota border recorded an increase in flow by over 1000 cfs in two hours. Several normally dry drainage areas quickly filled with water. Precipitation reports indicated two to three inches of rain fell in an hour. |
| July 2018 | Hail | Spearfish | - | The combination of large hail and gusty winds broke windows in a home and vehicles. |
| July 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Many trees were blown down in Spearfish Canyon along US Highway 14A from Cleopatra Lane to around two miles south. |
| July 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Small tree branches were downed by the wind. |
| August 2016 | Hail | Spearfish | - | A wind gust of 53 mph was recorded as well with the storm. |
| August 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph. |
| June 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Tree limbs were blown down. |
| June 2015 | Flash Flood | Spearfish | - | Water covered US Highway 14 between mileposts 1 and 2 between Spearfish and Beulah. |
| June 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | The windows of a shed were blown out by the strong winds. |
| July 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph. |
| May 2011 | Flood | Spearfish | - | Several small streams and creeks flooded roads around Spearfish and the northern Black Hills. |
| May 2011 | Flood | Spearfish | - | Several small creeks and streams flooded roads around Spearfish and in northern Lawrence County. |
| June 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Two center pivot irrigation systems were blown over, a trailer house was blown off its foundation, and ten to 12 inch diameter tree branches were broken by the wind gusts. |
| June 2007 | Flood | Spearfish | - | Heavy rains flooded several roads in and around town. |
| June 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | A storm spotter measured a 58 mph wind gust during an early morning thunderstorm. |
| August 2000 | Wildfire | Spearfish | - | A ten acre fire started by lightning threatened Spearfish Canyon. Nine other small fires, each less than two acres in size, were also ignited throughout Lawrence County, but were extinguished within 24-48 hours. |
| June 1999 | Tornado (F1) | Spearfish | - | The tornado knocked several trees into a home, destroyed a chicken coop and damaged a rental car which had a tree fall on it. Numerous trees around the property were also blown down. |
| May 1999 | Tornado (F0) | Spearfish | - | Brief Touchdown. Moved into Butte County. |
| July 1998 | Lightning | Spearfish | - | LIGHTNING STRIKE CAUSE HOUSE FIRE. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Strong winds caused some trees to be downed. |
| June 1995 | Hail | Spearfish | - | Stripped trees and damaged automobiles. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | Winds gusted to 60 mph and caused many trees to be downed or damaged. Power was out for two to three hours due to tree branches lying on power lines. |
| July 2024 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| August 2024 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| June 2023 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| May 2023 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| May 2023 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| May 2023 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| July 2023 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| July 2023 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| June 2023 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
| June 2023 | Hail | Spearfish | - | no account filed |
Nearest settlements
The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.
| Map | Place | Distance | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Plains | 1.5 miles | 20 | |
| Carbonate (historical) | 6.3 miles | 20 | |
| Maurice | 6.7 miles | 19 | |
| Victoria | 7.1 miles | 19 | |
| Maitland | 7.1 miles | 20 | |
| Saint Onge | 8.3 miles | 13 | |
| Lancaster City (historical) | 8.9 miles | 20 | |
| Ragged Top (historical) | 9.2 miles | 18 |
Elsewhere
Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.
| Wikipedia article on Spearfish | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q568764 | The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0). |
Provenance
This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1262476. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.







