The town of Custer began as a camp for the famous 7th US Calvary in 1874. The swanky and legendary General George A. Custer, had been sent by the U.S. government to explore the Black Hills; then a mysterious and unknown range in the great Indian Country which stretched from the Missouri river to the Big Horn Mountains. It was General Custer and his men who carried news of gold dust and "beautiful country the like of which has never been seen." The dust had scarcely settled behind the horses of the 7th Calvary, when the first party of gold seekers arrived. Named the Gordon party, it consisted of 24 men, one woman, and one small boy. Annie Talent, of this party, was the first white woman to enter the Black Hills, and its first school teacher. The Stockade built by these hardy settlers still stands (in replica) on the same ground today near beautiful Stockade Lake. Custer city took shape quickly as excited men came to seek their fortune. Then in 1876, the "boom" ended when gold was discovered in Deadwood Gulch, and true building began. Today, Custer is a clean, well built, prosperous mountain town of approximately 7,000 residents. Because tourism is a main industry, there are 21 motels, 10 campgrounds, 8 resort campgrounds, 7 area bed and breakfasts and guest ranches, and 24 restaurants. For more complete information, contact the Custer Chamber of Commerce at www.custersd.com.

Custer is the gateway to beautiful Custer State Park, a land of natural wonder and beauty, second to none. There are 73,000 acres featuring scenic drives, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, rock climbing, resorts, and an abundance of free roaming wildlife. There are over 1,400 head of bison, elk, deer, pronghorn, big horn sheep, mountain goats, prairie dogs, and more. The needles highway is a 14 mile drive through granite outcroppings, and spectacular scenery. Iron Mountain road is the most scenic route to Mt. Rushmore. You pass through tunnels that frame Mt. Rushmore and you may be met by the "panhandling donkeys", believed to be descendants of the fist settlers' donkeys. Check www.state.sd.us/sdparks for more information. The game lodge served as the summer white house for Calvin Coolidge in 1927, and the Norbeck visitor center will keep you busy, while the deer and perhaps a buffalo watch YOU! Truly, some of the most beautiful country on earth!

Five miles north of Custer stands Crazy Horse Memorial. This colossal mountain carving was began in 1948 as a tribute to all North American Indians by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. His wife and family still carry on the work today. When you visit, you experience the enchantment of man made wonder blended with natural wonders. See them at www.crazyhorse.org