FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sturgis residents can purchase plaques to celebrate their historic buildings
The Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society has created “Historic Sturgis” plaques for buildings and houses over 100 years old
Sturgis, South Dakota — September 9, 2025— The Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society has created plaques for buildings and houses 100 years old or older. The plaques read “Historic Sturgis” along with the year the building was built.
After conducting an analysis using Meade County GIS information, over 350 buildings were determined to be over 100 years old. The two oldest buildings for which records exist are a house at 1509 Spruce Street and the building housing Sturgis Photo & Gifts at 1081 Main Street. Both were built in 1884. Sturgis was founded in 1878 soon after Fort Meade was established.
The plaques can now be ordered at Sturgis Photo & Gifts for $75. The signs are being made by Rosenbaum Signs in Rapid City. Orders will most likely be placed in batches a few times per year, with the first batch of orders being sent November 1, 2025.
If you’re not sure the year your house was built, Sturgis Photo & Gifts has the list of houses and buildings over 100 years old for reference.
“The Historical Society is excited about this project, and eager to bring attention to the buildings that have survived for over a century,” said Mark Rambow, President of the Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society. “Our thanks to our board member, Logan Lamphere, who spent over three years identifying the year every building in Sturgis was built.”
The Historical Society hopes that the year-built plaques help raise awareness of historic buildings in Sturgis, pique the interest of residents and visitors about Sturgis history and enhance civic pride.
The Meade County GIS website contains the year built for other communities, too, so if the efforts in Sturgis prove popular, the society may gauge interest in other Meade County communities such as Piedmont and Faith.
After receiving a plaque, residents are encouraged to install it next to their front door at eye level, so that it is visible from the street. If there is a front porch, and porch pillar may also be a good spot for plaque installation. No pre-drilling is necessary.
Each year, about another dozen buildings will turn 100 years old, and will “qualify” to purchase a plaque.
Stop in to Sturgis Photo & Gifts to see a sample plaque and make your order soon to be included in the initial batch of plaques.
About Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society
Founded in 2014, the Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society is the result of a cooperative effort of people within the local community who are dedicated to preserving and relating the history of the area. The official mission of the Society is to “Preserve, protect and promote Sturgis and Meade County History.” More information can be found at sturgishistory.org.
For more information, press only:
Logan Lamphere
Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society
605-490-0732
Historic Sturgis plaques can now be ordered from Sturgis Photo & Gifts, sponsored by the Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society (Courtesy of Logan Lamphere)
