Sturgis is a small city in Meade County, South Dakota, known all over the world for one of the biggest annual motorcycle rallies in the world, held on the first full week of August. Sturgis is a home of the Old Fort Meade, now a Veterans Administration Hospital, and a small museum.
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is also located in Sturgis, as well as Black Hills National Cemetery and Fort Meade National Cemetery. South Dakota Centennial Trail passes through the city.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an annual American motorcycle rally held in Sturgis, South Dakota. The rally lasts for ten days and usually starts the first Friday in August. The first rally was held in 1938 by a group of passionate Indian Motorcycle riders. The riders belonged by the Jackpine Gypsies motorcycle club.
The club today owns and operates the tracks, hillclimb, and all field areas where the rally is held. Originally, the focus of the rally was racing and stunts but the program was expanded in 1961 to include the Hillclimb and Motocross races. The first year in Sturgis, there were 19 participants. The rally at times includes half-mile track racing, ramp jumps, intentional wall crashes and head-on collisions with automobiles. The rally has always been very popular and it is not rare that the attendance reaches over 700,000 people.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis, South Dakota
Old Fort Meade Museum
Fort Meade was an active military post from 1878 until 1944. It was originally established to protect settlers and miners in the area and it played a crucial role in keeping peace on the western frontier of Dakota. Located near Sturgis, South Dakota, the Old Fort Meade is today used as a Veterans Administration Hospital.
The museum is located in the former headquarters of the commanding officer and it features an in-depth history of Fort Meade through a number of exhibits. The museum organizes new monthly exhibition with various topics. Fort Meade is also a training site for the South Dakota National Guard, an Army National Guard Officer Candidate School and home of Fort Meade National Cemetery.
Old Fort Meade Museum, 50 Sheridan St, Fort Meade, SD 57741, Phone: 605-347-9822
The Knuckle Saloon and Brewing Company
The Knuckle Saloon and The Knuckle Brewing Company are located on property once owned by Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis in downtown Sturgis, South Dakota. The Knuckle Saloon is also a museum filled with antiques and memorabilia from the Sturgis past. The saloon has reputation for the best food in the Black Hills.
Some of the most popular menu items are beef tips and salads and “The Knuckle Sandwich”, the biggest, juiciest burger in the Black Hills. The Knuckle Saloon has the longest bar in South Dakota serving original cocktails and offering the finest selections of craft beer and wine. The Knuckle Saloon is also the largest entertainment venue in Sturgis, known for events such as bar bull riding, concerts, car shows, live music, casino, pub crawls, pool, darts and more.
The Knuckle Saloon and Brewing Company, 918 Harley-Davidson Way, Sturgis, South Dakota, Phone: 605-561-9846
