HILL CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City will close its current location after the building’s owner decided not to renew the museum’s lease.
Museum leaders say they must vacate the building by February 1, 2027, ending more than three decades of preserving and showcasing South Dakota’s railroad history at the site adjacent to the Black Hills Central Railroad.
Museum Board President Lesta Turchen says the closure became necessary after the new owners of the 1880 Train chose not to renew the lease and announced plans to use the building for other purposes.
The museum houses a collection of railroad artifacts, including a historic Chicago and North Western caboose, exhibits on railroading in South Dakota, and extensive archives documenting the state’s railroad history.
Despite the closure, museum officials stress the organization is not shutting down. Instead, they are working with other museums and community partners to find a new home for the collection and continue sharing South Dakota’s railroad heritage.
The museum remains open to visitors in Hill City until the facility closes.
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