RAPID CITY - It could take up to nine months before the "Pap" Madison cabin, the oldest building in Rapid City, is moved to a new home outside the Journey Museum.

On Monday, the city council approved the start of the process to evaluate the cabin's proposed move and to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

But the historic-register designation is being sought before the cabin is moved from its current Halley Park location, a process that could take six to nine months, according to Ray Summers, director of the Journey Museum.

"That's really the determinant of when it will move. Once the cabin is placed on the federal registry, then we would begin the process of moving it," Summers said. "It will move fairly slowly, but this is the first step of the process."

Summers said a variety of federal guidelines and regulations determine whether a structure is listed on the register, and he believes the cabin has a good chance of making the list.

"It certainly qualifies. It's been in its current location for over 50 years. I think that's one criteria," he said. "It does have significant historic value, and represents (one of) the first buildings built in Rapid City."

Rufus "Pap" Madison was among the pioneer settlers of Rapid City, but was not a founder. Madison was a friend of John Brennan, the man credited with founding Rapid City in February 1876, and arrived in town shortly after Brennan arrived.

The cabin is the only survivor of the original townsite and stood somewhere near Bully Blends and Aby's Seed at the corner of Fifth and Rapid streets. It was moved to Halley Park in 1926 because of concerns about preserving it as the community grew.

The original group of pioneers who came to Rapid City all lived in cabins around a blockhouse near the current Aby's Seed. Some people claim one of the town founders, Sam Scott, helped build the cabin, but Reid Riner of the Minnilusa Historical Association has been unable to confirm it.

"Pap" Madison stayed in the cabin for two or three years before moving to Rapid Valley and operating a farm and 160-acre homestead with another man. Eventually, Madison left South Dakota and kept moving west, ending up in Washington state.

The cabin is not in jeopardy in its current location, but the move will allow it to be used to its full potential as part of the Journey's interpretive programs, Summers said. The new location will also provide better access to the public than in Halley Park.

"I don't anticipate any obstacles or there being any issues surrounding it. It's just a matter of time, to wait for the cabin to be added to the registry," he said. "It really is a significant building."

Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415, or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com