Greenwood, Lawrence County, South Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greenwood, South Dakota
Laflin
čha-phežŋ |
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 Greenwood, South Dakota
Location in South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Lawrence |
| Founded | c. 1885 |
| Elevation | 4,941 ft (1,506 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
Greenwood is a ghost town in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States. A ghost town is a place where people used to live, but now it is mostly empty.
Greenwood is also known by another name, Laflin. In the Dakota language, its name is čha-phežŋ, which means "wood [of] grass".
Contents
History of Greenwood
Greenwood was started around 1885. It became known for its important gold mine. The town got its name from the many green trees in the area.
Life in Early Greenwood
The town of Greenwood had several buildings. These included a general store and a school. There was also a stage barn for horses and coaches. A smithy was there to fix metal tools. People could also find a post office, a livery stable for horses, and a boarding house to stay in.
The Gold Mine and Robert Flormann
The mine in Greenwood was famous for producing gold. However, it seems the mine did not make much money. It only covered the costs of running it. A man named Robert Flormann helped to promote the mine. He became very wealthy from his work.
In 1912, a fire broke out in the mine. Robert Flormann tried to save someone trapped inside. Sadly, he fell to his death during the rescue attempt.
What Remains Today
Over time, Greenwood became a ghost town. In 1971, the very last house still standing in Greenwood was torn down. Today, only the old foundations of buildings and the mine itself remain.
Where is Greenwood Located?
Greenwood is found in the Black Hills area of Lawrence County, South Dakota. Its exact location is 44°13′13″N 103°33′42″W / 44.2202633°N 103.5615803°W. It is southwest of Boxelder Creek. It is also near where the Black Hills & Fort Pierre Railroad used to run.
