CLUB HISTORY: Orland Paulson shared that BHSC started back in the mid 60’s and some of the early members included Mary Lou (Orland’s wife), Pat O’Neil, Ed Nobel, Jim Gillette, Glen & Betsy Best, Don Church, Delbert Stover, Ray Kramer, Harry Marshal and Bob Nye. Several members were involved in the beginning of SDSA in 1969 and Ed Noble’s wife shared that ‘we made many trips to Pierre during that t
ime.’ Orland shared pictures from the late 60’s & early 70’s as well as old Sno Plainsman Issues of several Governor’s Rides with Governor Bill Janklow and Governor George Mickelson (two governors who were very supportive of the sport of snowmobiling). Orland served on the SD Snowmobile Advisory Council for over 30 years! He also told us about a ‘March of Dimes’ Ride that the club would ride out of Meadowbrook Bowling Alley parking lot, go through Piedmont and return to Rapid. Clarence Bauer and Juel Rall began snowmobiling in the early 70’s and they shared that were a lot of young families in the club at that time and some of the family names mentioned (in addition to those above) were Hamm, King, and Davis. The men shared that they had a big ‘Play Day’ once a year for the kids. They set up race courses at Dumont Parking lot and all the kids (and adults) ran races, played games and won trophies. The Play Days were stopped in the mid 70’s when the members became concerned about injuries and liability. The early snowmobiles had 121 inch tracks on ‘boggie’ wheels and ½ inch cleats, ‘leaf spring’ suspension and a standard popular engine was a 440. There were not plowed or marked trails in the early days so they were ‘breaking trail’ each time they went riding and a 20 mile ride was a ‘good workout’. The club broke-up in the late 70’s and was reorganized by Bill & Ester Turgeon in the early 80’s. The club rejoined SDSA in 1984 and has been an active member since then.
