Brian Borden

The 14th Annual Brown Bag Lectures will begin at 12:05 p.m. on Jan. 31 in Rotunda F.

The first lecture in the series will be “Notes of a Traveler on Highway 14” presented by SDSU history professor John Miller. Miller’s book, Looking for History on Highway 14, was first published in 1993.

Miller said that most people do not know that Highway 14 was originally known by another name.

“Before it was called Highway 14, it was called the Black and Yellow Trail, short for Chicago to Black Hills and Yellowstone Park,” said Miller.

The book and lecture spotlights several of the small towns along Highway 14.

“Each town has a special focus in this book. It is like a kaleidoscope,” said Miller.

Miller said that visiting the towns was enjoyable.

“It was a heck of a lot of fun writing the book, and it was even more fun researching the book,” said Miller.

After eight years, many things are not the same as when Miller first visited them. A cafe is now a dress shop, another cafe is now a bar and some buildings do not exist. Many of the residents he interviewed on his journeys have died.

“One thing I emphasize in both the book and the introduction is how these towns have are constantly changing,” Miller said. “You can expect change, it is going to happen.”

In addition to Miller’s lecture, the series will also feature “Hometown S.D. presented by Greg Latza, “Haviland-Yesterday and Today” by Carol J. Peterson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, “The Adventures of Lewis and Clark in South Dakota” by Mary Edelen, “Fort Sisseston, Then and Now” by Marty DeWitt and “Travels in China 1980-2001” by Geoffery Grant.

#1.888361:2700567308.jpg:road.jpg:Highway 14 stretches out behind Dr. Jerry Miller.:Sue A. Pulse