U.S. 85 skirts the western edge of South Dakota, entering the state from Wyoming near Newcastle and passing through the Black Hills (including Lead and Deadwood) before traveling north through Spearfish, Belle Fourche and Buffalo toward North Dakota.
|
| Northbound U.S. 85 approaches its junction with U.S. 385 in Plumas, midway between Lead and Deadwood. This intersection marks the northern terminus of U.S. 385, which is a major highway leads from southwestern Texas north to South Dakota via Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska. 09/03/04 |
|
| 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. 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 the city center. 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. 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. 09/03/04 |
|
| Southbound U.S. 85 approaches its junction with U.S. 385, which travels south toward Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. U.S. 85 enters the city of Lead, home of the original Homestake Mine. Gold mining is intricately tied to the origins of this city, which was founded in 1876 during the Black Hills gold rush. Homestake Mining Company operated a gold mine in Lead; it closed in 2001. The mine and mill are open for tours by Homestake Visitor Center. 09/03/04 |
|
| U.S. 85 travels south through the Black Hills region, offering a fast route south to the city of Custer in Custer County and Custer State Park. 09/03/04 |
|
| Disturbed earth marks the remains of the Homestake Mine. U.S. 85 winds past the mining operation toward the city of Lead. 09/03/04 |
Page Updated 11-22-2005.
North
West 
