Calvin Coolidge in the Black Hills

by Seth Tupper

On August 2, 1927, President Calvin Coolidge shocked the nation by announcing he would not seek reelection. The declaration came from the Black Hills of South Dakota, where Coolidge was vacationing to escape the oppressive Washington summer and to win over politically rebellious farmers. He passed his time at rodeos, fishing, meeting Native American dignitaries and kick-starting the stagnant carving of Mount Rushmore. But scandal was never far away as Coolidge dismissed a Secret Service man in a fit of anger. Was it this internal conflict that led Coolidge to make his famous announcement or the magic of the Black Hills? Veteran South Dakota journalist Seth Tupper chronicles Coolidge's Black Hills adventure and explores the lasting legacy of the presidential summer on the region.

Genres: History, Presidents, American History

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 22, 2017

About the author

Seth Tupper grew up in the small South Dakota towns of Wessington Springs and Kimball and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from South Dakota State University in Brookings.

He has worked for newspapers in Worthington, Minn., and Mitchell, S.D., and is currently an enterprise reporter for the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal. His professional honors include the South Dakota Newspaper Association's 2007 Outstanding Young Journalist Award and the Public Notice Resource Center's 2014 National Public Notice Journalism Award.

He lives in Rapid City with his wife, Shelly, and their children, Kaylie and Lincoln. His first book, "Calvin Coolidge in the Black Hills," was published in 2017 by The History Press.

Reviews

[Wesley Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider myself a person who loves to read and learn about the presidents of the United States. One of my favorites is Calvin Coolidge...he is endearing. I have a signed copy of his book "Have Faith in Massachusetts" in my personal library. I met acclaimed biographer Amity Shales in Rapid City two years ago during a book signing, after she spoke at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology commencement. So I was looking forward to this year's release of "Calvin Coolidge in the Black Hills" by local journalist Seth Tupper, detailing the president's summer vacation the Black Hills in 2017.

This is a gem of a book with so many interesting stories and personalities surrounding Coolidge's three-month stay in Custer in the Black Hills. My favorite chapter in the book tells the story of the small church in Hermosa that the Coolidges attended that summer and the 20-year-old "kid" that preached from the pulpit during that historic visit. Also, the chapters on "Cowboy Cal" and "Fisherman-in-Chief" made me smile. The book crescendos with the story of Coolidge at the dedication and initial carving of Mt. Rushmore on August 10, 1927.

This book is needed addition to any presidential historian's library or any fan of South Dakota, the Midwest or the "Roaring 20s". I was fortunate to meet Mr. Tupper at a book signing in Rapid City on June 10, 2017. I shared with him my appreciation the work he put in to researching the book and providing another fascinating chapter in South Dakota's rich history.

And make sure you try the recipe for Mary Halley's Presidential Sour Cream Chocolate Cake, given to President Coolidge on his July 4th birthday, inserted in the book!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about Coolidge's time in the Black Hills in the summer of 1927. He went there with his wife for the summer White House. Also, he was instrumental in the first days of Mt. Rushmore.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a Presidential History nerd who happened to be traveling through the Black Hills for other reasons and altered my plans to stay at the State Game Lodge when I realized it was once the Summer White House. I read this book at the Lodge during my two-night stay there and it did an amazing job of making history come alive.

[cbalexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much more!

As a South Dakotan born and raised, I thought I knew a lot about Coolidges' time here. I was grossly mistaken - case in point, a Secret Service scandal with both personal and professional ramifications. Well worth your time!!

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this slim volume chock full of interesting history. I am a fan of both Coolidge and the Black Hills, so it was a winning combination for me!