Alternate U.S. 14 runs from Spearfish south through Spearfish Canyon to Lead and Deadwood, then travels east to rejoin U.S. 14 in Sturgis.
Major Cities
Spearfish, Lead, Central City, Deadwood, Sturgis
Eastbound Alternate U.S. 14
The eastern terminus of Alternate U.S. 14 is in Sturgis. U.S. 14A approaches its junction with Interstate 90, U.S. 14, South Dakota 34, and South Dakota 79. Photo taken 09/03/04.
Interstate 90 travels southeast to Rapid City and northwest toward Spearfish, then west to Wyoming. The freeway skirts the eastern and northern edge of the Black Hills, and it does not penetrate the national forest west of Sturgis. Photo taken 09/03/04.
The city of Sturgis is known as the "Key City to the Black Hills" and was founded in August 1876. Sturgis was named after Major Samuel D. Sturgis, who was commander of nearby Fort Meade. The city is home to 6,682 people as of the 2000 Census; it is seat of Meade County, northwest of Rapid City. It lies on the eastern slope of the Black Hills along the Interstate 90 corridor. U.S. 14A ends here. Photo taken 09/03/04.
After passing under the freeway, U.S. 14A transitions into Business Loop I-90, South Dakota 34, and South Dakota 79. These three routes continue east into downtown Sturgis. U.S. 14 remains on the freeway around Sturgis. Photo taken 09/03/04.
Westbound Alternate U.S. 14
Alternate U.S. 14 begins at the junction with Interstate 90 and U.S. 14 in Sturgis. U.S. 14A travels west from here to Deadwood, swings south to Cheyenne Crossing via Central City and Lead, then travels north to Spearfish via Spearfish Canyon. Photo taken 09/03/04.
This is the first reassurance shield for westbound U.S. 14A. Dark storm clouds hung over the Black Hills, portending rain showers for the evening. Photo taken 09/03/04.
U.S. 14A travels through the Black Hills National Forest, with rock cuts along the way. Photo taken 09/03/04.
At certain intervals, U.S. 14A widens to accommodate passing lanes. Here, U.S. 14A is four lanes wide. Photo taken 09/03/04.
As U.S. 14A approaches Deadwood, the highway also approaches U.S. 85. The rock cut on the hill is for northbound U.S. 85 toward Whitewood. Photo taken 09/03/04.
Alternate U.S. 14 approaches U.S. 85 northeast of Deadwood. The two routes merge together to pass through Deadwood, then split briefly between Deadwood and Lead. Photo taken 09/03/04.
Westbound U.S. 14A enters the city of Deadwood. Founded in 1876, Deadwood was established during the Black Hills gold rush. During that era, Deadwood was well known for its notorious personalities, including Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Gambling was popular in those days but was outlawed in 1947. It is still popular today, having been legalized in 1989. Located at an elevation of 4,533 feet above sea level, Deadwood is home to 1,380 people as of the 2000 Census. Photo taken 09/03/04.
U.S. 14A and U.S. 85 merge together at this intersection north of Deadwood. The two routes bypass downtown Deadwood but provide a business route into downtown. To the north, U.S. 85 travels toward Whitewood and Spearfish. Photo taken 09/03/04.
Westbound Alternate U.S. 14 and Southbound U.S. 85
This is the first reassurance shield assembly for westbound U.S. 14A and southbound U.S. 85. Note the Can-Am Highway shield posted beneath U.S. 85. The highway carries two lanes of traffic as it descends into the valley containing downtown Deadwood. Photo taken 09/03/04.
This shield assembly features older specifications for U.S. 14A, with three digits squeezed into a two-digit shield. Shortly after this shield assembly, U.S. 14A and U.S. 85 skirt downtown, while Main Street travels into downtown Deadwood. Photo taken 09/03/04.
Portions of the U.S. 14A/U.S. 85 bypass travel on a viaduct to pass over a creek. Only selected city streets connect between U.S. 14A/U.S. 85 and downtown. Photo taken 09/03/04.
Between Deadwood and Lead, U.S. 14A and U.S. 85 split briefly. U.S. 85 follows the most direct route to Lead via Pluma, while U.S. 14A connects between the two cities via Central City. Photo taken 09/03/04.
Other Scenes Pertaining to U.S. 14A
Deadwood sits in a tight valley, and this photo shows the narrow downtown area of Deadwood as seen from the Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Photo taken 09/03/04.
