Box Elder, SD

Quick City Facts

County: Pennington, Meade
Population (2019): 10,119
Population (2010): 7,800

Data provided by US Census Bureau (2019)

Originally a stop on the Milwaukee Railroad, Box Elder later became home to Ellsworth Air Force Base, a multi-wing, multi-mission defense base, now it is the home of the B1B Bomber. The skies over Box Elder are often filled with all types of military aircraft, B-1, B-2, T-38, T-37, helicopters, tankers, and all types of visiting aircraft from around the country. The Air and Space Museum is located just outside the gates of Ellsworth AFB. There are many types of aircraft on display at the museum to examine.

History

In the late 1800s, the present day Box Elder was only a fertile valley. Lone Tree, a few miles east of Box Elder, was a stop for the covered wagons and horsemen who were going from Fort Pierre to the Black Hills Stage and Wagon Road. In 1907, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad built its track from Wasta to Rapid City. This was the beginning of the present day Box Elder. Box Elder got its name from the large number of boxelder trees, from the Ashleaf Maple to the Acer Negundo, along Box Elder Creek flowing through the valley.

Recreation/Community Activity

There are three city parks they are located on South Ellsworth Road, Vucurevich Drive (off of Line Rd), and in the Thunderbird Homes development. The park on S. Ellsworth Road has a basketball court and baseball diamonds, and is home to the “Bandit Ball Little League.” The park on Vucurevich Drive is near Box Elder Creek and has swings, merry-go-rounds, horseshoe pits, and other playground equipment. It has a nice picnic area facility. The Boykin park and Veterans Memorial in Thunderbird Homes are newly developed.

Contact Information

  • City Hall, 520 N. Ellsworth Rd, Ste 9C
  • Box Elder SD 57719-2017
  • Phone: 605-923-1404
  • dknapp@boxelder.us

Popular Attractions

Wine Time on Main

Wine Time on Main

Sioux Falls

Black Hills Escape Rooms

Black Hills Escape Rooms

Rapid City

Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar

Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar

Sioux Falls

The Journey Museum & Learning Center

The Journey Museum & Learning Center

Rapid City

Nick’s Hamburger Shop

Nick’s Hamburger Shop

Brookings

Mount Rushmore Tours & Fort Hays Chuckwagon

Mount Rushmore Tours & Fort Hays Chuckwagon

Rapid City

Black Hills Caverns

Black Hills Caverns

Rapid City

Old Courthouse Museum

Old Courthouse Museum

Sioux Falls

Cherry Creek Grill

Cherry Creek Grill

Sioux Falls

The District

The District

Sioux Falls

1880 Train

1880 Train

Hill City

Oxbow Restaurant

Oxbow Restaurant

De Smet

Town Hall Inn

Town Hall Inn

Lead

Cowboy Corner

Cowboy Corner

Interior

Powder House Lodge & Restaurant

Powder House Lodge & Restaurant

Keystone

The Pub House

The Pub House

Madison

The Handbag Store

The Handbag Store

Hill City

Mama’s Ladas

Mama’s Ladas

Sioux Falls

Great Faces. Great Places.

South Dakota is an incredibly unique state in that each region offers a completely different experience then the others. Check out each of the regions to see what each has to offer!

Badlands

Western South Dakota

Featuring the Black Hills, Badlands, the Sturgis Rally. This region tends to be the most popular.

CENTRAL REGION

This region of South Dakota offers some of the best hunting and fishing in the entire central US. 

Eastern Region

The eastern region is home to the largest city in the state and provides visitors with a true "prairie" experience.