Near Hot Springs in Custer County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The CCC's Enduring Legacy

Wind Cave National Park

Photographed By Don Morfe, August 29, 2008

1. The CCC's Enduring Legacy Marker

Inscription. The Civilian Conservation Corps established a camp here during the Great Depression of the 1930s to make improvements to the park. This camp employed 200 men at a time and provided much needed jobs and training. Over an eight-year period, the young men helped build this visitor center, built concrete stairs in the cave, and helped sink the 212-foot elevator shaft. They also graded roadsides, planted trees, built trails, and served as fire lookouts. Besides room, board, and clothing, they received $30 a month, most of which was sent home to their families. Many of the buildings in this area are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places-a tribute to the CCC’s enduring work.

(Inscription under the photo on the left side) The visitor center under construction in 1936

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 43° 33.377′ N, 103° 28.699′ W. Marker is near Hot Springs, South Dakota, in Custer County. Marker is on Wind Cave Road. The marker is located near the entrance

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to the Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hot Springs SD 57747, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Home on the Range (here, next to this marker); Stephen Tyng Mather (here, next to this marker); Paha Sapa Limestone (a few steps from this marker); Life in a Prairie Dog Town (approx. 1.3 miles away); Early Game Preserve (approx. 1½ miles away); Vanishing Prairie (approx. 1.7 miles away); Bringing Back the Bison (approx. 2 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, August 29, 2008

2. Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center

Sign at the entrance to the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, August 29, 2008

3. Sign at the entrance to the park

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 452 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 29, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.