RAPID CITY, S.D. – A major milestone in preserving Rapid City history was celebrated Monday as Deadwood preservation leaders presented an official plaque at the historic McGillycuddy House on South Street.
The home belonged to Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy, a pioneering surgeon, former Rapid City mayor, and dean of the South Dakota School of Mines who played a key role in shaping the Black Hills region.
Members of Historic Rapid City say restoring the aging home has taken years of volunteer work, research, and fundraising. Preservationists relied on old photographs and historical records to recreate many of the home’s original features, including a stained-glass window rebuilt with the help of grants from Deadwood’s Historic Preservation program.
Volunteers say the project involved uncovering architectural clues throughout the house and working with experts to make the restoration as historically accurate as possible.
Deadwood preservation officials say supporting historic projects across the Black Hills helps ensure important pieces of regional history are not lost for future generations. The McGillycuddy House is considered one of Rapid City’s most significant historic landmarks.
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