Custer State Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, was named after Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, whose 1874 expedition led to the Black Hills gold rush. The park covers over 71,000 acres of varied terrain, including rolling prairie grasslands and rugged mountains, and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bison, elk, coyotes, and mountain goats.
George Armstrong Custer and the Black Hills Gold Rush
George Armstrong Custer was a U.S. Army officer who led the 7th Cavalry Regiment during the Indian Wars. In 1874, he led an expedition into the Black Hills, which was then part of the Great Sioux Reservation. This expedition led to the discovery of gold, sparking the Black Hills gold rush and the subsequent influx of miners and settlers into the region.
History of the Park
The area that is now Custer State Park was initially designated as Custer State Forest in 1912. However, due to the efforts of Governor Peter Norbeck, it was officially designated as Custer State Park on July 1, 1919. The park has since grown, with significant developments in the 1920s and 1930s, including the construction of roads, campgrounds, and dams by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Significance of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer
Custer’s expedition into the Black Hills had significant consequences for the region, leading to the gold rush and the eventual loss of the Black Hills by the indigenous people. This event is still considered a violation of the 1868 Treaty and is associated with the loss of sacred land by Northern Plains tribes.
Proposed Alternative Names
There have been discussions about changing the name of Custer State Park, with suggestions such as “Elk Song State Park” (or “Makoce hehaka olowan” in Lakota) and “Peter Norbeck State Park.” These names are seen as more poetic and less associated with the controversy surrounding Custer’s actions.
Why Some People Want to Change the Name
The desire to change the name of Custer State Park stems from the controversy surrounding Custer’s actions and the impact they had on the indigenous people of the region. Many feel that the current name does not accurately reflect the cultural and historical significance of the park and that a change would be more respectful and inclusive.
Requirements to Change the Name
Any effort to change the name of Custer State Park would require legislative action, as the name is currently enshrined in state law. This would involve convincing state legislators and the governor to support the change, which could be a challenging process.
References
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KELOLAND.com. (2022). Senators: Custer State Park must keep its name. Retrieved from https://www.keloland.com/news/capitol-news-bureau/senators-custer-state-park-must-keep-its-name/
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Wikipedia. (n.d.). Custer State Park. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custer_State_Park
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South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks. (n.d.). Custer State Park History. Retrieved from https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-history/
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SDPB. (2021). A New Name For Custer State Park? Let’s Talk About It. Retrieved from https://www.sdpb.org/kevinwoster/2021-08-26/a-new-name-for-custer-state-park-lets-talk-about-it
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South Dakota CCC. (n.d.). History In Nature – Custer State Park Architecture. Retrieved from https://southdakotaccc.org/custer-state-park/architecture.php.