Scenic is an unincorporated community in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. It is located within Scenic Township, which had a 2010 census population of 58 inhabitants. The community is located adjacent to the Badlands National Park, about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Rapid City,[3] or about one hour by car,[4] along Highway 44.
Scenic, South Dakota | |
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unincorporated community | |
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![]() ![]() Scenic Location within the state of South Dakota Show map of South Dakota![]() ![]() Scenic Scenic (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
Coordinates: 43°46′46.6″N 102°33′13″W | |
Country | United States |
State | South Dakota |
County | Pennington |
Area | |
• Total | 134.2 sq mi (347.6 km2) |
• Land | 133.9 sq mi (346.9 km2) |
• Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2) |
Elevation | 2,900 ft (884 m) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 10 |
• Density | 0.6/sq mi (0.3/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
ZIP code | 57780 |
Area code(s) | 605 |
FIPS code | 46-57820[1] |
GNIS feature ID | 1268730[2] |
The community was so named for the "scenic" setting of the town site.[5]
As an economic decline hit the town in the 21st century, local businesswoman Twila Merrill acquired more and more of the town property until she owned most of it.[4]
In July 2011, the 12-acre (4.9 ha) town and surrounding area—about 46 acres (19 ha) total—was listed for sale at $799,000. The sale included the post office (ZIP code 57780), Longhorn Saloon, a dance hall, bunkhouse, museum, and two stores.[3][6][7] It also includes a train depot[7] that is on an abandoned line that was part of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad and is the subject of a 104-mile (167 km) rails-to-trail project between Rapid City and Kadoka.[8]
In August 2011, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC, English: Church of Christ), an independent, nontrinitarian Christian denomination based in the Philippines, bought the property for nearly $800,000, Pennington County records show.[9][10] The church never disclosed why it acquired the property. In 2014, Daniel Simmons-Ritchie of the Rapid City Journal wrote that the INC "has done little with the town since its purchase."[4]
In April 2015, an INC minister moved to the area and soon afterwards began leading services for 10–15 congregants who live near Scenic.[11]
Overview of Longhorn Enterprises, LLC various properties included in the sale: 46-Acres (approximately 12 acres in town-lots & 34 acres surrounding) U.S Post Office Land Lease…..Longhorn Fuel & Food Convenience Store, World Famous Longhorn Saloon, Very Large Dance Hall with basketball court, Large Museum with knotty pine interiors, Bunkhouse sleeps 8–10, 2 freestanding Retail Stores, Historic Train Depot, One Working Jail, One Abandoned Historic Jail, Many Out-Buildings, Residence Home, Residence Modular Home.
Municipalities and communities of Pennington County, South Dakota, United States | ||
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County seat: Rapid City | ||
Cities |
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Former CDP | ||
Other communities |
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Ghost towns | ||
Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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