The Rapid City Lumber and Machinery Company was one of the ventures started by Jacob Lampert in the late 1800's and the business flourished even in the 'hard times' of the depression era (although they 'hurt' just like every one else). The Company sold lumber, paint, roofing materials, automobiles (Reo and Chevrolet), John Deere equipment and general building materials required by a growing frontier town. After Jacob died on October 16, 1917 ownership of the lumberyard passed to his 5 children and was operated until it burned down on Thursday April 29, 1954.

The Rapid City Lumber and Machinery Company furnished the majority of the lumber purchased by sculptor Gutzon Borglum in the carving and building of the Mount Rushmore National Monument.


OrlinWalter Lampert and Arthur Arno Lampert

The Rapid City Journal devoted the front page of two days newspapers to the story and the fire loss was estimated at between $300,000 and $500,000 dollars, consuming not only the lumbar company but also 16 lots on the southeast corner of Fifth and St. Joseph Streets in downtown Rapid City. Ads in the same paper the same month revealed that you could purchase a new Chevrolet (two door sedan with heater, directional signals, oil bath air cleaner) for$1896; a new complete 3 bedroom home for $8000 (payments only $53.19 a month); ground beef was on sale for 35 cents a pound; Oscar Meyer's Large Balogna for 37 cents a pound; a 6 ounze can of Tuna for 25 cents; and attend the movie Jack Slade staring Mark Stevens at the Elk's Theater or to Stalag 17 playing at the Star lite Drive-in Movie Theater.

Fire Marshall looking for cause of Rapid City's Disastrous Blaze

After the fire the Lumber Company was never rebuild. The land was used first as a City parking lot and later Hardee's opened a restaurant at the location.