Custer Sites

"The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center as the park museum during the winter months of 1934-35. The young men of Camp Lodge, ages 17-25, created a structure that blends into the surroundings. They used their talent in construction and native materials of logs and rocks to create a building to educate the public on the parks natural and cultural history. Interpretive exhibits and displays allow visitors to gaze into the eyes of a 1,900-pound bison or witness tree rings dating back 330 years. Displays reveal much about the history of the area, from Black Hills geology to...

"The grew rapidly in the 1920s, acquired additional lands; during the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps made many park improvements. CCC men laid out campgrounds and picnic areas, built a massive park museum, miles of roads, sturdy bridges and a stone fire tower, but, most importantly, constructed three dams creating Stockade, Center and Legion Lakes, all of which provide for water-based recreation." --John R. Thune, "Custer State Park"

"The Wildlife Station Visitor Center is located on the Wildlife Loop Road and provides guests with a place to stop, stretch their legs and visit with park staff about the prairie habitats of Custer State Park or find out where they might see a herd of bison and other wildlife. The building was originally built as the Buffalo Herdsman's house and over the years has housed the herdsman and other park staff but more recently became a Visitor Center around 1990. Inside you will witness the unique craftsmanship of the CCC era as well as exhibits, wildlife mounts and a bookstore."

The historic post office in Custer, South Dakota was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds in 1940. The building is still in use today.

"The Sylvan Lake Hotel, erected for the Custer State Park Board, is located about 37 miles southwest of Rapid City on the shore of a beautiful lake, surrounded by rugged hills and woods. The building contains 29 guest rooms, a large lounge, dining room, and kitchen. The lounge is the equivalent of 2 stories in height with wood walls of random width knotty-pine boards, exposed wood roof trusses, a wood ceiling, and a random width oak-plank floor. The construction is a combination of native-stone walls and wood frame. The project was completed in September...