Cicero Peak (South Dakota) facts for kids

Cicero Peak is a mountain in the Black Hills of Custer County, South Dakota. It stands tall at 6,168 feet (about 1,880 meters). This makes it one of the notable peaks in the area.

The mountain is located about 6 miles (10 km) south-southeast of the city of Custer. It sits southwest of Custer State Park. It is also northwest of Wind Cave National Park. The small community of Sanator is quite close. It is only about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Cicero Peak.

Who Was Cicero Peak Named After?

Cicero Peak got its name from a person named Cicero James Graham. He lived from 1860 to 1930. Graham was a rancher. His ranch was located near the base of this very mountain. Naming natural landmarks after local figures was a common practice.

What Was the Fire Lookout Tower?

Building the Tower

A special fire lookout tower was built on Cicero Peak. Construction happened between 1939 and 1940. These towers were very important. They helped spot wildfires early. This allowed firefighters to respond quickly.

How Long Was It Used?

The tower was used for 34 years. It helped protect the forests until 1974. After that, it was no longer needed. The tower was then taken down on March 19, 1980.

What Was the Cicero Peak Fire?

How the Fire Started

In 1990, a large wildfire started near Cicero Peak. The fire began because of logging equipment. Sparks from the equipment ignited the dry forest. This kind of accident can happen easily in dry conditions.

How Much Land Burned?

This fire is known as the 1990 Cicero Peak Fire. It burned a huge area of land. In total, 14,203 acres (about 5,748 hectares) were affected. A significant part of this was inside Custer State Park. About 4,510 acres (1,825 hectares) of the park burned. Wildfires can cause a lot of damage to forests and wildlife.