Near Columbia in Brown County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Sand Lake's Observation Tower

…A Bird's Eye View

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 16, 2017

1. Sand Lake's Observation Tower Marker

Inscription.

This 108-foot tower was built by the Civilian Conservation corps in 1936. The Sand Lake CCC camp ran from 1925 through 1939 and housed several hundred men. They built many of the dikes, fences, and facilities you see on the Refuge today. The tower was a great place to spot fires, watch for poachers, and study large flocks of migrating birds. It is now used by our visitors to get a spectacular view of the Refuge.

The tower has 132 wooden steps. The room at the top is seven feet by four feet. There are a total of 83 window on all four sides . The 11" x 12" panes of glass provide stunning views of Sand Lake and the surrounding countryside.

This tower, as well as similar ones at Waubay and Lacreek National Wildlife Refuges, is open to the public during daylight hours.

Erected 1936.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 45° 43.377′ N, 98° 18.292′ W. Marker is near Columbia, South Dakota, in Brown County. Marker is on Sand Lake Dr, ¼ mile County Highway 16. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia SD 57433, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The View from the Top (here, next to this

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marker); Waterfowl (approx. ¼ mile away); Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge (approx. ¼ mile away); Songbirds (approx. ¼ mile away); Father Alexandra Ravoux (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge (approx. 3.6 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (approx. 3.6 miles away); Columbia Marsh (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 16, 2017

2. Sand Lake's Observation Tower Marker

Sand Lake's Observation Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 16, 2017

3. Sand Lake's Observation Tower

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 16, 2017

4. Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.