Amidst its prosperous past, South Dakota, a state renowned for its varied landscapes and rich history, conceals a tragic story of abandonment. Many of the state’s once-thriving towns are now only eerie shadows of their former glory, lost to the passage of time and memory. One such forgotten location is the sarcastically called town of Scenic, which falls short of justifying its bucolic name.

The Genesis and Decline of Scenic

When Scenic was founded in 1906 as a major railroad stop for visitors heading to the Black Hills, it had about 200 residents at its height. With a bar, post office, dance hall, railroad depot, and several shops, the town also promoted peaceful cohabitation between the large Native American populace and the settlers.

But Scenic’s success was short-lived. Struggling with water scarcity and arid circumstances, cultivation became problematic, resulting to frequent fires. Its reputation was further damaged by scandal and controversy, including the marriage of the superintendent of schools to a ninth-grader and the proprietor of the bar being accused of murder. The town’s problems were made worse by the Great Depression, and by the 1940s, Scenic was been abandoned and was reduced to a lonely ghost town.

The Present State of Scenic

After being abandoned for decades, Scenic was in terrible condition until the Iglesia ni Cristo, a group with headquarters in the Philippines, purchased it in 2011 for $799,000. Even after purchasing the town, the church decided not to refurbish or restore any buildings. These days, Scenic resembles a scene from a horror movie, complete with rusty cars, strewn animal skulls, and decaying buildings. There are occasional glimpses of life in the town during improvised church services at a small chapel.

One of the most deserted communities in South Dakota, Scenic is a historical artifact that is seldom known to the general public. Its barren terrain stands in sharp contrast to the state’s scenic splendor and rich cultural legacy, providing a moving reminder of the struggles that earlier generations of residents had to endure. Even though Scenic provides visitors with an intriguing and unsettling experience, it might not be appropriate for individuals who are easily frightened.

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