J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "South Dakota Locomotive" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States South Dakota Commemorative Cover postmarked December 29, 1994.

During the late 1800s, the Chicago & North Western Railway reached South Dakota's Black Hills mining region via a subsidiary known as the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley (FE&MV). On December 29, 1980, the line was extended to the city of Deadwood. Founded during the 1876 gold rush, this town was described by 19th-century author J.W. Buel as being inhabited by "rough characters, cut-throats, gamblers and the devil's agents." To better serve this area's mining operations, the FE&MV built 18 miles of narrow-gauge three-foot trackage from Deadwood directly to the mineral excavation sites. Although the depression of the 1890s and the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893 led to a reduction in traffic on the narrow gauge, by the early 20th century the railroad was again prosperous. In 1902, a dual-gauge spur of about two miles was built to Lead, South Dakota, in anticipation of a convention of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows. The following year the FE&MV was absorbed by the Chicago & North Western Railway, and by 1928 the narrow-gauge line was abandoned. The scene in this painting effectively illustrates the complexity of the railroad system in the Black Hills mining area. The FE&MV's engine No. 212, a rare 4-8-0 type built in 1902 by the Schenectady Works of the American Locomotive Co., is featured on the second tier of a tri-level crossing. A mining company train is shown on the highest trestle while a Deadwood Central train is depicted on the ground level.

Image Size: 14 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 18 x 15 in.
Unframed.
(B14919)

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