Halloran Block - Lead, South Dakota

Photo Description

The Halloran Block was designed by City of Lead Architect J. A. Archibald and was completed for James Halloran in December, 1897. Mr. Halloran originally came to the Black Hills with the Custer Expedition of 1874. James Halloran was a prime mover in the consummation of the Hidden Fortune Mine, northwest of Lead. He also was part owner of the Dolphin and Comstock operations, located on Yellow Creek, south of town. The Dolphin and Comstock Group was part of the great Homestake ore trend.

The Halloran Building has been home to a variety of businesses, including restaurants, saloons, a hotel, a boarding house and a hardware store. The building survived the fire of 1904 that destroyed a quarter of the City of Lead.

During the 1920's and 1930's underground rock pillars in the Homestake Mine began to collapse resulting in surface subsidence in the center of the town of Lead. Several buildings were severely damaged and the threat of continued subsidence required that the center of the town of Lead be moved. The town was moved to the west to its present location. The subsidence area is now part of the Open Cut.

The Halloran Block survived the subsidence and now stands as one of the oldest buildings in the City of Lead. Minimal exterior work has allowed the Halloran Block to retain its character and stature as a landmark location within the community.

Text from a historical marker

Photo Details