Supporting Active Events
Challenge is a South Dakota 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to supporting and sponsoring active events in and around Hot Springs, South Dakota. This includes organizing Stars, Stripes & Steps and the 9/11 Grand Stair Challenge, cash sponsorships, making event materials available, repairing staircases, litter clean-up along routes and more. Your donations to Challenge Dakota are tax deductible.
Preserving our Historic Stairs
Due to severe deterioration from age and weather, the City of Hot Springs has closed the Chapel Charge and Castle Crunch Staircases until they can be replaced. This will be a very complex and expensive project.
We are delighted to report that the City of Hot Springs is working on a plan to replace both these staircases as well as Museum Mash, the flagstone staircases at the north end of Chicago Street.
Challenge Dakota intends to help as much as possible with planning, decision making and fundraising.
If you would like to be involved in our Stair Preservation Committee, please contact info@challengedakota.com
(Photo is "Before" stair repair at Museum Mash)
Stair Repair/Restore Fund
Stair Repair/Restore Fund
Challenge worked with the City of Hot Springs to complete a major renovation on Museum Mash, the stone steps on Chicago Street, as well as ongoing repairs on the concrete staircases.
We continue to raise funds to support repair and future renovations and enhancements of all the city staircases. We are exploring ideas for 'adopt-a-staircase' groups to handle weeding, cleaning and monitoring each staircase.
(Photo is 'After' stair repair at Museum Mash)
Building a Race Kit
Stair Repair/Restore Fund
Challenge is building an inventory of event materials to share with local groups. (Coolers, banners, time clocks, sound system etc.) Thanks in part to major grants from First Interstate Community Foundation, we have purchased our double sided race clock and Bose sound system. In 2020, we were able to purchase 50 road safety cones with a grant from Black Hills by Choice, Southern Hills. We also have chairs, tables, beverage dispensers and coolers. Contact us if you are interested in borrowing the equipment. Donations are appreciated to offset the cost of purchasing and maintaining the race kit.
Repair/Replace Fund
Repair/Replace Fund
Challenge is building a fund to repair or replace major race kit components as needed (currently consisting of clock and sound equipment.) If your organization is in need of equipment for an event, or has equipment to donate, please contact Challenge. We loan the equipment free, but appreciate a donation, which will be dedicated to repairing and replacing equipment.
Contact us if you are interested in borrowing the equipment. Donations are appreciated to offset the cost of purchasing and maintaining the race kit.
Find and climb all 5 historic downtown staircases
Castle Crunch
128 steps
THIS STAIRCASE IS CLOSED UNTIL IT CAN BE REPLACED. The City of Hot Springs is working on a replacement plan.
Located by the
Hot Springs Firehouse and
the American Legion.
Castle Crunch leads to the high school & the former
Castle Manor hospital.
If you would like to be involved in our Stair Preservation Committee, exploring options, please contact info@challengedakota.com
Chapel Charge
156 steps
THIS STAIRCASE IS CLOSED UNTIL IT CAN BE REPLACED. The City of Hot Springs is working on a replacement plan.
Begins near
River & Minnekahta Streets
behind Kidney Springs,
and climbs up next to the Episcopal Church, finishing
in a residential neighborhood.
If you would like to be involved in our Stair Preservation Committee, exploring options, please contact info@challengedakota.com
The Battle Mountain Grand Staircase
The Battle Mountain Grand Staircase
141 steps
Begins on National Street,
just east of River Street,
between Evans Hotel &
Red Rock River Resort/1891 Bistro; leads to the VA Hospital
(historic Battle Mountain Sanitorium).
Goddard Grind
Grandstone Windmill Wobble
The Battle Mountain Grand Staircase
123 steps
River St, by Polished Salon; leads to Pioneer Museum (former schoolhouse);
be sure to visit the museum.
Museum Mash
Grandstone Windmill Wobble
Grandstone Windmill Wobble
109 steps
Chicago & Jennings across from Post Office.
No railing.
Leads to Pioneer Museum
and VA Hospital.
Challenge Dakota made major repairs on this staircase several years ago, after it was condemned by the city for safety reasons. Currently it is open, but the City is planning to make major repairs on this staircase. We are excited for that day!
Grandstone Windmill Wobble
Grandstone Windmill Wobble
Grandstone Windmill Wobble
87 rough hand-hewn steps
were built primarily in 2017
by Joshua Johnson, on private land located outside Hot Springs.
Windmill Wobble is only used in the Knee High Hilly Half Marathon and is not a public use staircase.
Windmill Wobble is rough and the steps are very uneven. Runners should use great caution and consider walking up and DOWN the staircase. The owner expects to have a trail built soon to allow us to route runners UP the stairs and DOWN the trail, but that is not likely for this year (2020).
HISTORY OF THE HOT SPRINGS STAIRCASES
Each of our historic staircases has its own unique history. We would like to compile and share that history, as part of the effort to preserve these treasured walkways. Do you have a story about any of the staircases? Even the smallest fact will be useful as we piece together the story of these staircases.