{"id":3712,"date":"2012-11-20T14:44:56","date_gmt":"2012-11-20T19:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/?p=3712"},"modified":"2013-06-10T08:00:42","modified_gmt":"2013-06-10T12:00:42","slug":"would-you-do-what-jesse-james-did-in-garretson-sd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/would-you-do-what-jesse-james-did-in-garretson-sd\/","title":{"rendered":"Would you do what Jesse James did in Garretson, SD?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tucked away in the southeast corner of South Dakota, not far from Sioux Falls, \u00a0there\u2019s a little town that\u2019s big on bank robber folklore. Garretson, SD is where Jessie James made his getaway from the sheriff\u2019s posse after sticking up the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota.<\/p>\n

Considering that Northfield is 204 miles away, did posse\u2019s keep up their pursuit that far?\u00a0 If so, it makes the story even more amazing, but who wants to doubt folklore, so let\u2019s continue.<\/p>\n

In 1876, during the robbery, Northfield residents shot two members of the Jesse James gang. Jesse and Frank James were the only members to escape.\u00a0 With the posse in hot pursuit, Jesse made a beeline for his hideout cave along the Split Rock River in Garretson. Just before reaching the cave, his horse vaulted Devil\u2019s Gulch \u2013 a 30-foot high and probably 20 foot wide chasm. The posse was afraid to duplicate his feat and Jesse got away.<\/p>\n

\"Bridge<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, bank robbers are a rarity in Garretson, so people feel safe coming to the area to relive the daring getaway and to walk a bridge built at the site of his famous jump. More adventurous people will want to hike down the gentle path to see the bridge from below.<\/p>\n

Close by, you can take a scenic boat ride on the pontoon boat known as U.S.S. Jesse James. You\u2019ll get to see Jesse\u2019s cave the only way possible, from the water.\u00a0 Daily rides are available, but only by reservation. Call or stop by Christmas in the Attic at 505 3rd<\/sup> Street. Your ship\u2019s captain is a hoot and will keep the one-liners going the entire trip. Consider picnicking or camping in Split Rock Park after your ride.<\/p>\n

\"Quartz<\/a><\/p>\n

Ten miles south, you\u2019ll want to stop at South Dakota\u2019s second-smallest state park just to see the wonderful Sioux Quarzite rock formations.\u00a0 Easily viewed from near the roadway, these formations are something to see in Palisades State Park. It\u2019s almost like the earth split open and these 50-foot tall spires rose up from nowhere. The spires are 1.2 billion years old and you are permitted to climb them\u2026if you\u2019ve got the nerve\/talent.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0PHOTO GALLERY<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Mouse over the lower right corner and click on the arrow to see full-screen version.<\/div><\/div>\n