Gallery 24
The collection is co-owned by the municipalities of Lead Deadwood and Spearfish in South Dakota. Potentially, many never before seen images of the early days of the entire Black Hills region are in the collection. The grand opening of Spearfish Canyon Road, presidential visits and a vast selection of early mining photos are among the many images that will have great interest to the general public. Also included are graduation, wedding and family photos that will be useful to genealogists
Ariel view of Devil's Tower. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Three of the rescuers of George Hopkins at the base of Devil’s Tower. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Plane piloted by Joe Quinn on the right over Devil’s Tower and Parachutist George Hopkins on the left. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
First photo of George Hopkins after his rescue from the top of Devil's Tower with Earl Brockelsby, a KFBC news reporter, and Ranger Newell Joyner. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Carpenters constructing house (that never reached the tower) in shop in Rapid City S.D. (115 miles) from tower was going to be dropped from plane to Hopkins. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Earl Cook, a Sundance WY. truck drivers truck can be seen bottom rt. He came to the scene as Sitts shot and fled.
Ross Dunns basement, former Deadwood police chief, Sitts hid here.
George Sitts wanted poster. Description of sitts with fingerprint code
A christmas card from the Passion Play that depicts two camels with riders in front of a cloudy sky. Made with cutouts.
Josef Meier as Christ at the last supper speaking in a scene from the Black Hills Passion Play with two other men.
Looking up at Devil’s Tower. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
George Hopkins and Earl Brockelsby. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Devil’s Tower looking North East. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Betty Johnson? Males unknown. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Sheriff Twiford with George Sitts
Men changing tire on car with George Sitts in the back seat. Sheriff Twiford stands center of photo.
Ross Dunns basement, former Deadwood police chief, Sitts hid here. State Motor Patrol Officer searches
Saturday Evening Post, Article on Josef Meier and his family along with the Passion Play of the Black Hills. 1943.
Depiction of Christ on the Cross with Josef Meier as Christ and Clare Meier as Virgin Mary. Cloudy background. Black Hills Passion Play
Article from the Rocky Mt. News discussing the admiration that Josef Meier had for the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Hints at trying to get the Black Hills Passion Play to move there for the summer
Distant view of Devil’s Tower looking North East. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Five of the eight climbers who rescued George Hopkins from the top of Devil’s Tower. On the left is Paul Petzoldt. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Spectators watching the rescue of George Hopkins from Devil’s Tower Oct. 6, 1941. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Betty Johnson? Males unknown. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Sheriff Twiford uncuffs Sitts, Floyd Short is directly right of Sitts.
Warden G. Norton Jameson touching electric chair. Sheriff Twiford stands directly left of the chair. Floyd Short stands to the right of the chair.
Ross Dunns basement, former Deadwood police chief, Sitts hid here.
Advertisment photo for the Passion Play. Bible scenes are depicted. Josef Meier as Christ is displayed in the center of poster. Copyrights for Black Hills Studios are also on the poster.
Seemingly later in Josef Meier career as Christ. Christ is lowered from the cross with Clare Meier as Mary watching. Black Hills Passion Play.
Panoramic view of the set for the Black Hills Passion Play with many of the cast and Josef Meier and Clare Meier during a scene from the show.
Mrs. Frank Heppler, formally Mrs. Willard Ripley, whose late husband was first to climb the Devil’s Tower Wyo 3 of June 1893. She says he put in the pegs Will Rogers of Spearfish South Dakota used to ascend tower July 4 1893. It took 31/2 months to drive the pegs. At that time she cooked for her husband and Rogers. Her husband Frank Heppler is the Blacksmith at the Utility Area at Devil’s Tower National Park in Wyoming.George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
L-R: Henry Bolter, Paul Petzoldt, and Merrille McLane, three climbers who rescued George Hopkins from the top of Devil’s Tower. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Spectators watching the rescue of George Hopkins from Devil’s Tower Oct. 6, 1941. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
George Hopkins prior to his parachute jump on Devil's Tower. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
State Motor Patrol with shoes and unidentified man.
Warden G. Norton Jameson stands far right of the electric chair. Sheriff Twiford stands directly left of the chair. FLoyd Short stands to the right of the chair.
Crook City abandoned School House attic? Sitts hid here. State Motor Patrol Officers
Spearfish Tribune article on Josef Meier and the Black Hills Passion Play. Discusses the new home of spearfish for the previously road touring show from Leunen Germany. 1938.
Josef Meier as Christ and Clare Meier as Mary in a scene from the Black Hills Passion Play on the steps of a building with many other people. The child to the left is Johanna Meier.
Mrs. Frank Heppler, formally Mrs. Willard Ripley, whose late husband was first to climb the Devil’s Tower Wyo 3 of June 1893. She says he put in the pegs Will Rogers of Spearfish South Dakota used to ascend tower July 4 1893. It took 31/2 months to drive the pegs. At that time she cooked for her husband and Rogers. Her husband Frank Heppler is the Blacksmith at the Utility Area at Devil’s Tower National Park in Wyoming. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Devil’s Tower looking North East. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Ranger Newell Joyner (Right) and three radio personnel from KLZ radio. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Parachutist George Hopkins on the left, and the plane piloted by Joe Quinn on the right. George Hopkins skydived onto Devil's Tower in Wyoming Oct. 1, 1941. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IMAGE BY SENDING YOUR COMMENTS
Warden G. Norton Jameson second from left. Sheriff Twiford Clasping Sitts. Floyd Short, Special Agent, right of Twiford.
Warden G. Norton Jameson stands far left. Sheriff Twiford stands directly right of the black box. FLoyd Short stands to the right of Warden Jameson
Crook City abandoned School House exterior. State Motor Patrol Officers at door.
Scene from Passion Play on the steps of a building. Josef Meier as Christ is sitting while his wife Clare Meier stands depicting the virgin Mary. Their daughter Johanna Meier is also present as the young child.
Josef Meier as Christ riding a donkey in a scene from the Black Hills Passion Play.