Wind Cave National Park Administrative and Utility Area Historic District

Wind Cave National Park Administrative and Utility Area Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Administration building
Location	E of Custer off US 385, Custer, South Dakota
Coordinates	43°33′23″N 103°28′26″W
Area	21 acres (8.5 ha)
Built	1905
Architect	Multiple; Baker, Howard
Architectural style	Bungalow/Craftsman, NPS Rustic
MPS	Wind Cave National Park MPS (AD)
NRHP reference No.	84003259
Added to NRHP	July 11, 1984

The Wind Cave National Park Administrative and Utility Area Historic District comprises the central portion of Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. The district centers on the historic entrance to Wind Cave, which is surrounded by park administrative and interpretive structures, most of which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

History

The historic entrance to Wind Cave, discovered in 1881, was modified to allow better access to the natural entrance by blasting. A new passage was created, also by blasting, to allow visitor access. between 1892 and 1894, with another entrance blasted in 1936 by the CCC. The same year, a visitor center was built a short distance away overlooking the stream valley behind. Auxiliary buildings include the 1905 Superintendent's Cottage, the 1934 Superintendent's Residence, several employee residences, a ranger dormitory and mess hall, and other structures, mostly dating to the 1930s. The planned landscape blends with its environment, using a modified version of the National Park Service Rustic style.

The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 11, 1984.

External links

• NPS.gov—Wind Cave National Park: The Wind Cave Historic District
• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. SD-9, "Wind Cave National Park, Administration & Operator's Building, Approximately 2.5 miles southeast of U.S. Route 385, Custer vicinity, Custer County, SD"