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Roadside Attractions Part of Black Hills Experience

The Black Hills have long been a tourist destination. In the late 1800s, such places as Evans Plunge in Hot Springs and the various caves and other natural formations brought people to the area searching for adventure, fun and relaxation.

With the rise of the automobile and the development of roads, attractions of a different sort began popping up to capture vacationing families. Reptile Gardens, for example, first opened on a hill south of Rapid City in 1937. Although World War Two and gas rationing slowed down the tourism business, the early 50s saw new roadside attractions like the Cosmos Mystery Area and Trout Haven established. Some may dismiss these places as “tourist traps,” but to others they're an essential part of the Black Hills vacation experience.

Teresa Schazenbach is group sales representative at First Gold Hotel/Deadwood Mountain Grand and the former executive director of the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce. She joined Dakota Midday and explained why these roadside attractions are popular stops for visitors to the Black Hills.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.