In 1936, Kenneth H. Spring, Sr. started Ken's Minerals and Trading Post in Custer, SD.  Born on January 13, 1910 in Fairburn, South Dakota (home of the infamous Fairburn agate beds) he cultivated an acute passion for minerals, agates, rocks, fossils, gold panning, nature, and ranching.

Highly regarded as rock hound expert, Ken had feature gold panning articles in various rock, gem, and treasure hunter magazines. He even appeared on a "Gotta Get Away" segment of “Good Morning, America" and was filmed for a gold-panning program on Austrian Television in Europe. Ken passed away on July 29, 2007 at the age of 97.

Kens' son Kenny has worked in the shop since he could walk and at the young age of 70 he and his wife Karen continue to stop by and make sure things are running smoothly. 

Today Kenny's two sons, Matt and Lance, along with their respective wives Selena and Sharlie continue to run operations of the shop.