After the gold rush’s rise and fall, the number of South Dakota ghost towns grew exponentially. Most have completely disappeared, while some still linger in the form of only ruins. There are a few, though, that have a bit of a different story. Take Sheridan, South Dakota, for instance. Now completely submerged, it’s one of the most intriguing of South Dakota’s ghost towns. Let’s take a closer look at the history of Sheridan Lake.

This body of water is known as Sheridan Lake, but at one point in time, it didn't even exist.
Frank T/TripAdvisor
The lake was created by a nearby dam on Spring Creek through construction, which took place from the 1930s to 1942. The name of the lake actually comes from the name of the town that it now covers, Sheridan, South Dakota.
Sheridan Lake Marina/Tripadvisor
This underwater city was once known as South Dakota's "Golden City" for its popularity during the gold rush.
Sheridan looked much like the town pictured below.
John Vachon/yale.edu
It sprang up quickly in 1875, as soon as word got out that there was gold, and filled with everyone from desperate miners to hopeful prospectors, all with the goal of striking gold here. And for a while, they did.
The town became very prosperous. It had multiple stores, saloons, schools, churches, and more, and thrived. It was even named county seat of Pennington County.
John Vachon/yale.edu
This, of course, was changed to Rapid City just one year later. The prosperity of the town, like many in the area, would not last. As the gold seemed to run dry, the residents began to leave. Most headed north to places like Deadwood in hopes of another chance at a fortune. They left Sheridan behind, and it became a ghost mining town like so many others. By 1920, only 10 people lived there. The once busy mines were failing. Not long after that, it was completely empty.
Today, it is some 30 feet underwater.
Mike K/TripAdvisor
Only one of the original buildings of Sheridan still exists. It was moved six miles south just before the lake was created by the dam, and still stands today. These days, Sheridan Lake is popular for recreation. Tons of people boat and swim in the lake and have no idea that a town lies just beneath the surface of the water.

America’s gold rush days certainly brought on a lot of history for the state, but few people know about this unique underwater city in South Dakota.

Have you ever visited Sheridan Lake? Ever heard of Sheridan, South Dakota? If so, do you have anything interesting to share? Tell us! Or, dig into the history of South Dakota with a unique history tour.

Believe it or not, Sheridan, South Dakota isn’t the state’s only submerged ghost town. There’s another town that’s been completely overtaken by water. Located in Pennington County, this underwater ghost town in South Dakota shared a similar fate, and most people have forgotten all about it.

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History Of Sheridan Lake

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Can I visit any abandoned places in South Dakota?

You might not be able to explore the ghost town of Sheridan, South Dakota, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit some of the state’s other abandoned sites. In addition to South Dakota ghost towns, there are plenty of abandoned spots to check out, including:

  • Broken Boot Gold Mine. Located in Deadwood, the mine, which was originally known as Sein’s Mine, dates back to 1878! Out of service since the early 1900s, the mine reopened in the 1950s as a tourist attraction and has been open to the public ever since.

 

What haunted hiking trails can I take in South Dakota?

South Dakota ghost towns aren’t the only eerie sites in the state that you can explore, like:

  • The Trail of the Spirits in Sica Hollow State Park. Located in Sisseton, the park has long been known for its mysterious happenings. Even the park’s name is ominous, as “sica” is a Dakota word for bad or evil. Not for the faint of heart, The Trail of the Spirits meanders through gurgling, red-hued bogs, which Native Americans surmised was the blood and flesh of their ancestors.

 

Are there any haunted hotels in South Dakota?

There are several haunted hotels in South Dakota, and the Hotel Alex Johnson is one of them. Located in Rapid City, the historic hotel has been welcoming guests from around the world for over 75 years. With such a lengthy history, it should come as no surprise that the hotel has a haunting reputation. In fact, it’s revered as one of the most haunted hotels in South Dakota.

Over the years, several apparitions have been spotted in the hotel, including a “lady in white” and the ghost of Alex Johnson – and that’s in addition to lots of spooky activity. Not surprisingly, the historic haunt has captured the attention of several paranormal investigators and was even featured on the SyFy Channel’s hit show “Ghost Hunters.”

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Sheridan Lake Road, Sheridan Lake Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, USA