National Register of Historic Places listings in Custer County, South Dakota facts for kids

Location of Custer County in South Dakota

This article is about the amazing historic places in Custer County, South Dakota. These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list kept by the United States government to recognize important buildings, sites, and objects that have played a big part in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.

Custer County is home to many of these cool places. There are about 50 different properties and areas in the county that are on this important list. You can even see some of these places on a map if their exact location is shared!

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special hall of fame for historic places across the United States. It's the official list of places that are worth saving because of their historical importance. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized as a significant part of our country's past. This helps protect these places for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

Historic Places in Custer County

Custer County has a rich history, from ancient Native American sites to early ranching and tourism spots. Many of these places tell stories about how people lived, worked, and built communities in South Dakota. Let's explore some of the interesting types of places you can find on this list.

Ancient Archeological Sites

Some of the oldest listings in Custer County are archeological sites. These are places where scientists have found clues about people who lived here long, long ago. They might find old tools, pottery, or remains of ancient homes. These sites help us understand the very first people who called this area home. Many of these locations are kept secret to protect them.

• Archeological Site No. 39CU70
• Archeological Site No. 39CU890
• Archeological Site No. 39CU1619
• Archeological Site No. 39CU2565
• Archeological Site No. 39CU3178
• Archeological Site No. 39CU3393
• Archeological Site No. 39CU4164
• Site No. 39 Cu 91
• Site No. 39 Cu 510
• Site No. 39 Cu 511
• Site No. 39 Cu 512
• Site No. 39 Cu 513
• Site No. 39 Cu 514
• Site No. 39 Cu 515
• Site No. 39 Cu 516

Historic Ranches and Homesteads

Custer County's history is also tied to ranching and farming. Many early settlers built homesteads and ranches here. These places show us what life was like for pioneers and how they worked the land.

• Lonnie and Francis Ayres Ranch: This ranch is located southeast of Fourmile Junction. It was listed in 1991.
• Maria Bauer Homestead Ranch: Found southeast of Jewel Cave National Monument, this homestead was recognized in 1992.
• Charles and Ollie Lampert Ranch: This ranch is south of the Elk Mountains, near Dewey. It was added in 1990.
• Irene and Walter Mann Ranch: Located in the Schenk Canyon area, this ranch was listed in 1990.
• Ferdinand and Elizabeth Roetzel Ranch: This ranch is northwest of the Saginaw and Roetzel Roads junction. It was listed in 1991.
• William Stearns Ranch: East of Elk Mountain, this ranch was recognized in 1990.
• Norman B. Streeter Homestead: Near Beaver Creek, this homestead was listed in 1995.
• Elbert and Harriet Ward Ranch: East of Elk Mountain, this ranch was added in 1990.
• Edna and Ernest Young Ranch: Located south of Dewey, near Beaver Creek, this ranch was listed in 1990.

Important Buildings and Structures

Many buildings in Custer County have unique stories or special architecture. These include old courthouses, schools, and even bridges.

• Badger Hole: This was the home of Badger Clark, a famous South Dakota poet. It's located east of Legion Lake.
• Beaver Creek Bridge: This bridge is inside Wind Cave National Park. It's an important part of the park's history and was listed in 1984.
• Buffalo Gap Cheyenne River Bridge: This bridge on County Road 656 was listed in 1988.
• CCC Camp Custer Officers' Cabin: This cabin was part of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that put young men to work on public projects. It's northwest of Custer.
• Cold Springs Schoolhouse: This old schoolhouse is southeast of Custer in the Black Hills National Forest. It tells us about education in the early days.
• Custer County Courthouse: Located in Custer, this historic building has been the center of local government for many years. It was listed in 1972.
• First National Bank Building: This bank building in Custer is an example of historic architecture. It was listed in 1982.
• Fourmile School No. 21: Another historic school, this one is south of Fourmile Junction. It was listed in 1991.
• Garlock Building: This building in Custer was added to the list in 2004.
• Grace Coolidge Memorial Log Building: Located on Crook Street in Custer, this log building is a memorial. It was listed in 2001.
• Hermosa Masonic Lodge: This lodge building in Hermosa was recognized in 2009.
• Pig Tail Bridge: This unique bridge is located in Wind Cave National Park. It gets its name from its spiral shape. It was listed in 1995.
• Red Shirt Bridge: This bridge crosses the Cheyenne River near Red Shirt. It was listed in 1993.
• South Dakota Dept. of Transportation Bridge No. 17-289-107: This bridge is over French Creek in Custer State Park. It was listed in 1993.
• Francis Averill (T.A.) and Janet Leach Towner House: This historic house in Custer was listed in 1990.
• Newton Seymour Tubbs House: Another historic house in Custer, listed in 1993.
• Way Park Museum: This museum in Custer helps preserve local history. It was listed in 1973.

Historic Districts

Sometimes, a whole area or group of buildings is considered historic. These are called historic districts. They show how a town or community developed over time.

• Buffalo Gap Historic Commercial District: This area in Buffalo Gap includes Main, 2nd, and Walnut Streets. It shows what the town's business center looked like in the past. It was listed in 1995.
• Fairburn Historic Commercial District: Similar to Buffalo Gap, this district in Fairburn shows the historic commercial heart of the town. It was listed in 1995.
• Wind Cave National Park Administrative and Utility Area Historic District: This district includes the administrative buildings and utility areas of Wind Cave National Park. It tells the story of how the park was managed and developed. It was listed in 1984.

Places in Parks and Monuments

Custer County is home to beautiful national parks and monuments, and some of their features are also historic.

• Custer State Game Lodge: Located in Custer State Park, this lodge is a historic place where visitors have stayed for many years. It was listed in 1983.
• Custer State Park Museum: Also in Custer State Park, this museum helps tell the story of the park and its natural and cultural history. It was listed in 1983.
• Historic Trail and Cave Entrance: At Jewel Cave National Monument, this trail and old cave entrance are important parts of the monument's history. They were listed in 1995.
• Ranger Station (Custer, South Dakota): This old ranger station at Jewel Cave National Monument was part of the park's early operations. It was listed in 1995.
• Peter Norbeck Summer House: Peter Norbeck was a governor of South Dakota and played a big role in creating Custer State Park. His summer house there is a historic landmark. It was listed in 1977.