History comes alive in downtown Rapid City - KOTA Territory News
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In our fast paced world, it can be hard to stop and enjoy the history of the buildings and streets we see everyday.
But there's now a way to experience the rich history of Rapid City on the go, on your smart phone.
When Cincinnati native Anthony Robinson fell in love with rapid city ten years ago, its rich cultural history was a big part of it.
"We love the presidents on the corner, we love the historic buildings because they got a story to tell,"said Robinson Sr.
And experiencing that story is easier than ever.
To get a glimpse into Rapid City's past, all you have to do is scan one of these 20 images across downtown with a downloadable QR reader, and instantly you'll get a picture of what was here 100 years ago.
It's a happy marriage of technology and history that aims to reach locals and tourists alike.
"One of the things I like is smart phones are more oriented to young people, old people love history. This can bring both of them together in one project," said Dan Daly, TDG Communications Vice President.
And more than just a reflection on the past, the project is a way to make history even more profitable for downtown.
"You attract more locals, more guests, there is an economic impact. If they're looking at the history of a property, it could be next to a coffee shop, or another business. It adds economic impact when you have historical restoration," said Dan Sefner of Destination Rapid City.
"It's fun to see horse and buggy in front of a building you have latte's at every day. It shows Rapid City has been here a long time. There's been a lot of people who've lived here and made this town what it is today," said Daly.
For Robinson, the project is a great way to appreciate the hidden history, often overlooked.
"If it's not a historical building, you want to know what was there and it's pretty cool to find out," said Robinson.
The Picture Rapid City Project was funded by state grants and destination Rapid City at a total cost of about $6,500.
For a list of the downtown locations you can scan, please visit www.PictureRCPast.com
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518 St. Joseph St.
Telephone: 605.342.2000 
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