Owanka
Owanka is an unincorporated community in Pennington County that is pretty much a ghost town. The first settlement was in 1888 and by the late 20th century only a couple of people still remain. Owanka had a couple of things going against it which consisted of lack of a good water supply, the train no longer hauling water to the town, a scandal with the school, an unsolved bank robbery, bank failure, a murder, and bad developments. All these incidents divided the town causing many to leave and go elsewhere.
Owanka is located about 5 miles south of I 90 on 173rd Ave/Owanka Rd and 40 miles east of Rapid City. The town is pretty small and accessible. There is a private property sign by one of the first houses, stating you are on camera, so be aware of this person’s privacy and do not trespass.
Looking down on the town of Owanka coming in from the interstate.
Just magnificent - the grain elevator.
All these cars left and house abandoned.
If walls could talk.
Lots of open prairie.
This is the whole town looking north.
This is the whole town looking south.
The old bank.
