Ray L. Ewing

1934-1936

Raymond L. Ewing (June 30, 1889 – January 22, 1965) was a lifelong resident of Deadwood, well-known businessman, civic leader and Mayor of Deadwood.  Born on June 30, 1889 in Champion, Nebraska, Ray attended school in Alliance, Nebraska and later Lead, South Dakota.  In 1918, at age 29, Ewing enlisted in the U.S. Army at the beginning of World War I.  During the war Ewing was part of Battery A of the 312th Field Artillery of the 79th Division of the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.).  At the conclusion of the war, Ewing returned to Lead, South Dakota and found employment at the Homestake Mining Company and Lawrence County Highway Department.  In 1921, at the age of 32, Ewing partnered with architect H.R. Albion and formed the firm Albion & Ewing Engineers that was based in Deadwood.  Local examples of Ewing’s work include the Hudson-Terraplane Showroom (10 Pine Street), the Adams Memorial Hall Museum (54 Sherman Street) and the Franklin Garage (707 Main Street).  In the civic arena, Ewing served on and was the director of the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, Adams Memorial Museum, Franklin Hotel Company, and Days of 76 celebration.  In 1934 Ewing was elected Mayor of Deadwood and would serve as Mayor on three separate occasions (1934 - 1936; 1938 - 1943; and 1952 – 1956).  Ewing died in Deadwood on January 22, 1965 and was buried at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota.