Harney Fire Lookout

The Harney Fire Lookout located seven miles northeast of Custer, SD, sits a top Black Elk Peak, the highest peak in SD and highest point between the Rockies and Pyrenees Mountains (in France), includes the stairway, dam, pump house, and main building. In 1911, a wood crate was placed and used as a fire lookout tower at the summit of Black Elk Peak. In 1920, the wood crate was replaced with a 12’x12’ wood structure which was expanded to 16’x16’ in 1921. Construction of the current Tower was built from 1938 to 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) stationed at Camp Doran. The fire tower was last staffed in 1967. In 1935, a manmade dam was created to hold 5,000 gallons of water, along with a pumphouse in 1938. The Tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 for its unique style of architecture, in addition to its association with the Civilian Conservation Corps and historic recreational use. Every year, over 30,000 visitors hike or ride horses on portions of the 38-mile trail system within the wilderness to reach the tower where they receive a panoramic view of South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. Although Harney Fire Lookout no longer functions as a fire lookout, historic integrity is maintained to retain the site’s distinctive material and features. Over the years, volunteers have done several maintenance projects at the Tower. For several years, materials have been transported to the tower by the Region 2 mule pack string and maintenance efforts were traditional, meaning no motorized equipment or wheeled tools were used.