When time ceases for a moment, the present presents itself to the future. A Rapid City 150 years in the making showed up Friday for the Rapid City of 2076.
Sesquicentennial proclamation
Earlier this month, a mayoral proclamation officially recognized this sesquicentennial year, tracing Rapid City’s roots from an 1876 “Hay Camp” to a “resilient modern community defined by the character of its people.”
The city has spent 2026 marking 150 years of that journey — from frontier settlement to regional hub, from the devastation of the 1972 flood to the revitalized downtown plaza that hosted Friday’s celebration.
By 1:30 p.m., the skies had cleared into a brilliant blue, the newly awakened fountains were running, and a remarkable cross-section of the city had gathered to look up at a drone and be sealed away in a time capsule for the next fifty years.
That capsule will be buried on May 29th at Founders Park — a message from this Rapid City to the one that will exist in 2076.
The Community Vibe
I was standing in the crowd, taking in the sheer variety of the turnout — from local press crews and rodeo legends to Carl the Cobbler, Andy Armadillo, Nugget the Rapid City Rush mascot, and Benny the RCPD therapy dog.
The air was crisp, carrying the smell of BBQ from nearby vendors down the brick corridors of the square. Bounce houses and giant building blocks kept children busy on the turf while families settled into patio chairs under string lights. Children shrieked with delight. Adults laughed. The vibe was simply — good.
Rapid City’s Fire and Police Chiefs were present alongside members of their crews. Several city council members had turned out as well. Downtown Rapid City — the organization that breathes life into this square year-round — was visibly represented throughout the afternoon.
Governor Rhoden and State Senator Helene Duhamel mingled with residents in the plaza. Mayor Jason Salamun was also present, leading the crowd to pose for the drone.
Nobody was performing on this Friday. They were showing up for history
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