“Mysticism is what keeps peoples and adventures alive. Logic too emphatically embraced is what undoes the mind.” ~G. K. Chesterton
Hey! Welcome to the Tomboy Tales, I’m Rochelle, the tomboy. South Dakota born-and-bred, my misadventures began at a young age. My mom liked to dress me in skirts and other cute things while my dad let me tag along while he worked on trucks and on fishing trips. Much to my mother’s dismay, as soon as I was old enough to dress myself jeans became the item of choice and getting me into a dress was World War III. I have a hunch my father just chuckled at these antics.
Not much has changed for this grown-up girl, although I do wear dresses voluntarily and paint my toes on occasion I still prefer denim and jangling earrings. My day job finds me playing with dirt and chainsaws in the woods .
I love creating things whether it’s in Photoshop, the wood shop or with a sewing machine. My creative endeavors lead me all over the place as do my adventures and often my creating and adventures feed each other. A good adventure is a good as an evening spent crafting. My basement is filled with backpacks, bikes, and backcountry skis. If I’m not creating something, I’m probably out exploring with my husband, Jake, and our three dogs.
Welcome to my adventures and I hope you enjoy the ride! Feel free to drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you!
I would like to gain permission to see Fort Igloo – Black Hills Army Depot. Does anyone know who I can contact regarding permission or a tour. I understand most of the land is owned by a local rancher. I am willing to pay for his time and access, regarding research. If someone could put me in touch with the owners, I would be very grateful.
Thanks,
Derek Hart
Derek,
I don’t know who owns the property at Fort Igloo. I would recommend contacting the City of Edgemont, SD as some of the information I have read indicates that they have ownership of some of the area and if nothing else, it’s a small community and I’m sure someone will know who owns the surrounding land. Good luck with your research!
Rochelle
Hey Rochelle: Thank you. I did manage to find the rancher/owners of the major portions of the former base, so have written to them formally asking for permission. Keep your fingers crossed.
Derek,
I grew up here and was really cool to see someone had interest in this place. Lived there form 1970-1983ish. Could have never asked for a better childhood. I think there were 848 Igloos and i was inside most of them. We as kids had a run of the place. Riding our bicycles and motorcycles inside of the schools, theater, and all of the other buildings. We actually raised thousands of pigs in the Igloos. The house i grew up in is now located in Lusk, Wyoming. Quite a project moving a 3 story house. I went back in 2011 after my tour in Afghanistan and on my way to Sturgis. The place has sure decayed and seeing all of the locks was saddening. I wouldnt mind touring the old stomping grounds.
I must admit to becoming absolutely fascinated by Igloo! So much so, in fact, that the location will play a major part in my latest novel. I really appreciate the feedback from people so far, especially those wonderful people who had an opportunity to experience Igloo firsthand. I spent 5 hours here with my son and was truly captivated. I took over 80 photographs and traipsed all over the base. Would like to go back asap. Still waiting to hear from the ranch owners. Please, if anyone would like to share their experiences with me, I would greatly appreciate such feedback.
Derek, did you have any luck contacting the owners of Fort Igloo? I’m a history lover from Michigan and would love to explore the base this summer.
Hey Brian: Yes. In fact, there is a reunion in July at the base, so I’m going to try to get there for that. The ranchers will allow you to look around, if you write for permission and tell them when you’re coming.
Derek,
Are you planning on being there for the July reunion? And where/whom would people write to for permission? I’d would love to get to meet you and hear about book and it’d be really nice to know where to refer people who are interested in visiting the site. How’s the project coming along anyway?
Thanks!
Rochelle
Thanks Derek, all I cna find is the name Brunson, do you have better contact info? I really appreciate your help. What is the book you’re writing about?
We lived at Igloo in the 70′s. What an amazing place to raise 3 kids. They roamed through the fields,swam(olympic sized pool), hunted and explored. We raised hogs in the bunkers and grazed sheep and cattle. No rules and no government. Awesome memories. Thanks for the reminders. I have shared this on our kids facebook. They will love it. Cheryl
I don’t see the Igloo Depot listed as a Superfund site: http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/sd/index.html
Nancy,
Thanks for your interest in the post on Igloo. Here is one of the links to where I found my information on the Superfund site http://denr.sd.gov/des/gw/Superfund/Federal_Facilities.aspx I am aware that there was a remediation project, undertaken by whom to believe was the Department of Defense, that occurred there this summer. I have not investigated this further as I’m far more interested in the history of the community and the folks that lived there.
Best Wishes!
Rochelle
Derek,
I grew up here!
Thanks, Rochelle. What this means is that it’s “dirty”, but not tagged to be cleaned up as a Superfund site. They aren’t telling the locals anything they didn’t already know. But, I enjoyed the blog. I grew up in Hot Springs and remember the booming days of Edgemont and Igloo…and that was when it was already shutting down. Hard to believe that Edgemont was about 4,000 people at that time. The Munitions Depot shutting down also really reduced the Burlington Northern line. In case you aren’t aware, the Hot Springs VA is under review for closing by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. This closure will pull $18M out of Hot Springs and surely will be the further death of Fall River County. Anyway, thanks for the info and I’m glad to have read your blog! Nancy
I was born and raised in Igloo. Went all 12 years of school there.
The Army base closed in 1968. Bombs were stored there, none were manufactured there.
Derek, Thanks for your interest in Igloo. Both My grandparents worked there from when it opened until 1956 My Grandmother was a Nurse at the Hospital and My grandfather was a engineer, Both my aunt and father grew up there. in 2010 I met the current owner, after he spoke with my father he let us drive all over the town, as long as we didnt go past the second guard shack. I have many souveriners and photos from my family. Hopefully you will able to obtain permission to see the site.
What is the messenger bag that you have and posted an image on the post: http://www.thetomboytales.com/tag/waxed-canvas/ . i have been looking for a good bag that does have “real” leather straps and not the snaps that most have.
It’s an old canvas briefcase from the U.S. Forest Service. I’m not sure where you’d get one these days. Sorry I’m not more help!
Jim Anderson
Igloo.SD@gmail.com
822 E. Indiana St.
Rapid City, SD
57701-5835
(605) 342-2758
Jim Anderson is the organizer for the reunion. I would contact him first, so you can express your interest and hope you get an invitation. Since my Dad spent some time at BHO after WWII, it was easy to find common ground. Please do not use me as your sponsor, because I don’t want to do anything to damage the relationship I have gained. State your case and I’m sure you’ll be invited.
Yes, the Brunson’s own about 1/2 the former igloo/BHO site. I will get the mailing address and post it. Since I offered to pay $ for their time, so I could conduct proper research, I’m sure that’s why I was granted permission. I have been told they are exceedingly distrustful of anyone who just shows up, because they’ve had lots of vandal and arson problems. Write a great letter and see what happens.
I have lots of conflicts with my schedule this summer, so I don’t know yet if I can make the reunion, though I would really love to. I may be forced to travel to the site earlier or later. If it turns out one of you is attending the reunion, please let me know.
Thanks for your help Derek, I will not use your name but I do know how they feel about vandals, I’ve been victim to that myself and I will do nothing but repsect their property as if it were my own.
Brunson has since burnt many of the buildings in Igloo. It was a controlled burn, by him, and he’s burnt all up to the top of the hill before going into the area where some residents still live, as the rest if privately owned by several individuals.
Did he do this this spring or last fall? I was hoping to stop down there and visit again this summer for another round of photos. I can completely understand why he would do that but what a bummer, it’s such a special piece of South Dakota history! Thanks for the info!
Very sad. The site is of such historical value and now my research project won’t have nearly the potential. South Dakota has lost yet another treasure, without even knowing the value. Again, too bad!
He did this about 3-4 weeks ago.