[4] He was raised on his family's dude ranch and resort, the Palmer Gulch Lodge, at the base of Black Elk Peak near Hill City, South Dakota.
Parker managed the Palmer Gulch Lodge from 1948[5] until 1960, when he left home to study history.
[3] Parker authored three books, as well as numerous papers and notes on the history of the Black Hills throughout his career.
'"[3] Parker devoted considerable research to the history of the Black Hills' ghost towns.
[3] Parker's works were used as research for the American television series Deadwood, which aired on HBO from 2004 to 2006.
[3] The other thirteen inductees included cave explorers Herb and Jan Conn, businessman Norm McKie, former Rapid City Mayor Don Barnett, Lynn Seppala, Gene Abdallah, Curtis Hage, Dana Dykhouse, Donus Roberts, Amiel Narcelle Redfish, Gary Conradi, William Hinks and Tony Dean.