Fire Lookouts Tools for the Trade towers were constructed across the nation after Many of the original tools used to search out along Custer Peak devastating fires in 1910. The use of fire towers for a vast landscape are still used today. The Osborne Fire detecting Finder is one of the original devices used traditionally fires in detecting Fire Lookout originated with fires. The fire the United finder was States Forest invented by Tower Service. William “W.B.” Osborne and Civilian Conservation Corps Many of the has been used lookouts built constructed in 1941 since 1915. in the early 1900s are still used today. Prominent Places Along the Skyline Many of these high points are important places for Protect and Reuse Native American tribes who have lived and practiced traditional ceremonies in the Black Hills for centuries. These places are These high points such as Harney Peak (below right) significant not only and Terry Peak (below left) are very noticeable along the because of their Black Hills skyline. history, but because of the role they still play in detecting fires. Vandalism of these structures is not only against the law, but

can impede emergency Harney Peak personnel from responding to incidents for public safety. Terry Peak Ski Area Photo by Kari Greer Kari Greer

Volunteers with the Passport in Time program worked with Black Hills National Forest employees to repair portions of the Custer Peak fire tower near Deadwood during a stabilization project in 2008. Kari Greer

Black Hills Original The Legacy of the Civilian Location Map Construction Conservation Corps (CCC) In 1911, the first Custer Many facilities located National Historic Lookout Register This certificate officially recognizes Peak fire tower was on Forest Custer Peak Lookout

built of . Service System lands Black Hills National Forest Lawrence County, South Dakotasignificance ®, Washington, as meeting those standards of historic and cultural 6, SD 1 established by the American Resources Group Certificate: US to construct it was were constructed by D.C., in cooperation with the Forest Fire Lookout Association,

the National Association, State Historic Preservation , and State and Federal forestry agencies. Officers October, 1990 “Forest Fires Lookout Custer Peak, 13th day of brought in from a nearby the CCC. The CCC was Accepted for listing this Nemo Ranger District In cooperation with: Photograph taken after 1941.” Black The first fire lookout atop Custer Peak on the Nemo Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest was builtilings. of wood By in1935 1911. it had It hadbeen shutters replaced but with no glass,a cupola and it Ranch. It had shutters Hills National Forest Historical active mainly from 1933 sat atop a platform without ra building. The current- by structure 14-ft. with is two a catwalk. stories high The and architect was built of the of lookoutnative stone was W. in 1941. The cab is 14 lding specifically to match its surroundings and Ellis Groben who designed the bui Collection, Leland D. Case Library, but no glass. It sat atop to 1942, after World environment. Keith A. Argow, National Chairman Black Hills State University. Dave Nichol, NHLR State Registrar American Resources, Inc., Suite 310 374 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, VA 22180 - www.lookouts.us 1-800-GRN

a platform without War I and during World

railings. In 1935 it was replaced with a cupola building, War II. In addition to and by 1941 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) administrative buildings, fire lookouts were an important constructed the fire lookout you see today. facility constructed by the CCC. Many of them are still in service today. Some were steel tower construction with The cab is 14 ft. by 14 ft. small cabs, others surrounded by a catwalk. The were stone and tower used to have a telephone lumber construction. line that ran between Custer The Custer Peak Peak and the Bull Dog Ranch. In 2008, volunteers was listed on the with the Passport in Time National Historic (PIT) program worked with Lookout Register on Black Hills National Forest October 13, 1990. employees to repair portions Custer Peak Lookout Tower. The Tower was Roads may not be suitable for highway vehicles, high clearance is recommended. Black Hills National Forest of the tower to stop some of “Using Osborne Fire Finder at Custer Peak Historical Collection, Leland D. recognized for its the deterioration caused by Look Out.” Black Hills National Forest Case Library, Black Hills State More Information Historical Collection, Leland D. Case historic and cultural University. weather and aging. Library, Black Hills State University. significance. Northern Hills Ranger Supervisor’s Office The original site consisted of the District 1019 N. 5th Street lookout tower, a rock root cellar, a Significance in History 2014 North Main Street Custer, SD 57730 log outhouse, and a wooden storage These towers are significant because of their connection Spearfish, SD 57783 (605) 673-9200 shed. Notes state that the root cellar to the CCC and their significance in American history (605) 642-4622 TTY (605) 673-9227 and outhouse were constructed during the Great Depression. The structure is also www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills in 1941, but the storage shed was considered a representative model because it is an The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities constructed at a later date. on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, six, marital status, excellent example of rustic architectural style that is familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not “Custer Peak Lookout Tower, Photograph unique to the United States Forest Service and Civilian all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means taken after 1941.” Black Hills National for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape etc.) should contact USDA’s Forest Historical Collection, Leland D. Conservation Corps. TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). Case Library, Black Hills State University. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or for Forest Service issues please call, toll free, (866) 632-9992 (voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877- 8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642(relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Printed 9/2015