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The infamous Hangman’s Hill is located near Dinosaur Park. Surrounded by a fence is a tree trunk, nicknamed Hangman’s Tree. The spot is so named because three people, including a possibility innocent 16-year-old boy, were hanged from that tree in 1877 without trial. “It was an example of vigilante justice,” Jean Kessloff, president of Historic Rapid City, Inc, said.
Local legend has it that two horse thieves and one boy who was offered a ride by the duo were hanged from the tree in a gruesome fashion. According to the tale, men from Rapid City took the alleged criminals and hanged them using ropes that were too long. Instead of having their neck snapped instantly on descent, the men slowly choked to death as their feet touched the ground. No one was ever held responsible for the lynching.(Rapid City Journal)
Decimal Degree: 44.080037, -103.245331