About a thousand people built the 114-mile Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad between Edgemont and Deadwood in just 255 days using primitive methods. Construction started in Edgemont on May 15, 1890, and was completed in Deadwood on January 24, 1891. During that short time, the crew laid more than 100 miles of track, blasted four tunnels, and erected more than 100 trestles. More than 15 years were later required to complete the George S. Mickelson Trail on the same railroad bed because plans had to be developed, consensus reached, and funding obtained. Burlington Northern ended railroad operations from Custer to Deadwood on November 8, 1983, and from Edgemont to Custer on October 29, 1986, because of a shortage of cargo and high maintenance costs. In 1991, Governor George S. Mickelson dedicated the first six miles of the trail, and after his death in 1993, the trail was renamed in his honor for his support and dedication. The trail became a reality through the cooperative efforts of the Burlington Northern Railroad, U.S. Forest Service, SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks, SD Department of Corrections, SD Army National Guard, SD Department of Transportation, SD Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Friends of the George S. Mickelson Trail, National Rails to Trails Conservancy, SD Mining Association, and private donations.