Historic Travels US - Tapping the Earth’s Treasure House DVD
	Ever wondered what happened in the state of South Dakota after disheartened prospectors abandoned their gold claims? Learn about it, in this rare and historic DVD, on how the Homestead Mining Company took up the challenge of mining the precious metal from solid rock hundreds of feet beneath the earth’s surface Situated in the north-central part of the United States, South Dakota was admitted as the 40th state in 1889. Acquired in the Louisiana Purchase, the region became part of the Dakota Territory in 1861 and was later awarded statehood. Rich in geological history, the state is a farmer’s paradise. Almost one third of the region west of the Missouri River, a semiarid, treeless plain, belongs to Native Americans, most of who live on reservations. The remaining two thirds is devoted to cultivation of cash crops, cattle ranches and sheep rearing.

Gold is South Dakota's most important mineral, and the town of Lead in the Black Hills is the country's leading gold-mining center. Neighboring Minnesota too is blessed with an abundance of mineral wealth - iron ore being the most abundant.

This historic DVD captures the life of gold miners in South Dakota and provides an assurance to the people of Minnesota that iron mining would continue to spur economic development for years to come.


Some of the clips you will see on this DVD set are:

South Dakota Saga Sponsored by the Homestead Mining Company, this documentary chronicles in explicit detail the saga of gold mining in Lead, South Dakota. It provides a wonderful insight into the lengthy and laborious process in extracting this precious metal form hard rock lying hundreds of feet beneath the surface of the earth. It also pays tribute to the care and concern the company showers upon its most valuable asset - the men who work for the company. Sponsor: Homestake Mining Company Producer: Jam Handy Organization Year: 1940 Length: 00:31:37 Audio: Mono Color: BLACK & WHITE
Iron Country: Iron Ore and Minnesota's Future Sponsored by the Lake Superior Industrial Bureau, this documentary aims at reassuring the people of Minnesota that the State’s biggest mining industry -iron ore mining - was poised for growth and that there was no need for panic or cynicism. It describes the many new and innovative mining and extraction methods that were being employed to ensure a continuous production of iron and steel. Sponsor: Lake Superior Industrial Bureau Producer: Jam Handy Organization Year: 1952 Length: 00:22:21 Audio: Mono Color: COLOR

Running Time:
DVD One : 00:59:53

EDITORIAL REVIEW:

"Characteristically, you would expect a Jim Handy produced documentary to be edifying and thorough in its contents. You don’t have to check the credits for either of the films on this unique DVD to recognize Jim Handy’s incredible influence in them. All the ingredients that go into making of a great documentary are evident in good measure in these professionally produced clips.

Fascinating photography backed by charming and informative narration ensures that no detail escapes your attention - be it significant or commonplace. An amazing flow of statistical data and technological jargon holds you spellbound while helping even the most untrained mind to grasp the significance of the information being dispensed. The films also help in building a healthy respect towards the engineers and miners who face great challenges in their line of duty with characteristic nonchalance.

I was charmed by the presentation on these DVDs and have developed a healthy admiration for the mining industry. Oh yes, my appreciation for the Jam Handy Organization went up a few notches as well. I have no doubts that these fascinating accounts of the achievements of miners from the northern states will have a similar impact on even the most casual browser."

CUSTOMER'S REVIEWS:

"The clip " South Dakota Saga" is a virtual goldmine of information on how gold is squeezed out from solid rock. Like thousands of others, I had never spent time in contemplating on how gold was mined and purified and now, after viewing this fabulous DVD I feel deeply indebted to the heroic miners who risk their lives day after day. The Homestead Company has done our state of South Dakota proud by putting it on the mining map of the United States and deserves a lot of praise for this achievement. Also everybody at a2zcds deserves to be complemented for the wonderful innovative DVDs they produce so consistently."

Customer's Name : Andrew Collins (Pierre, South Dakota)