Dinosaur Park - Rapid City, SD
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 44° 04.756 W 103° 14.694
13T E 640526 N 4882174
This collection of giant dinosaurs was constructed by the WPA in 1936 to draw tourists into the city of Rapid City while Mt. Rushmore was being created. It is one of the odder jobs that the WPA completed.
Waymark Code: WM3G06
Location: South Dakota, United States
Date Posted: 03/31/2008
Views: 22
The five sculptures were a Depression-era WPA project supported by the city of Rapid City, which hoped to capitalize on the flood of visitors to nearby Mt. Rushmore. Emmit A. Sullivan, a paleontologist is credited as the sculptor.
The dinos were dedicated on May 22, 1936, on the crest of a hill overlooking the city. The five figures -- an Apatosaurus, Triceratops, Stegasaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex., and a Brontosaurus, were fashioned from concrete over iron pipe frameworks. A Protoceratops and a Dimetrodon were added later near the gift shop.
The Brontosaurus is 80-ft. long and 28-ft. high, standing at the highest point of the ridge. The other dinos are situated along walkways straddling the ridge and down the slope to the parking lot.
They've been part of this free public park for over 70 years now. Kids are encouraged to climb on all its displays which may explain the rounded and worn edges. The park is free and open during daylight hours.
The park was designated a National Registered Historic Place in 1990.
This Roadside Giant is made out of: Concrete
This Roadside Giant Depict...?: Prehistoric form
Web Address for this giant or group of giants.: [Web Link]
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