Wind
Cave National Park has a rich history. Many of the structures in Wind Cave
National
Park are of historic significance, recognized as fine examples of National Park
Service rustic architecture, typical of the time. In general, all of the
buildings
are wood framed covered with yellow-tan stucco. The walls and foundations of
some of the buildings are made of a cut sandstone, taken from a quarry outside
the
park, near Hot Springs. Some of the structures have rafters or columns made of
rough-hewn timbers.
Most of the construction was done in the 1930's, with
the help of the Civilian Conservation
Corps. The C.C.C. program was created by the Federal Government in 1933
to put young men to work on public lands during a period of severe unemployment.
In addition to working on cave trails, roads and buildings within Wind Cave
National Park, C.C.C. workers landscaped and planted trees in the visitor
center vicinity to help the structures blend in to the natural surroundings.
Most of the structures here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The first eight are buildings listed by their original names and Historic Structures
numbers. The date indicated is the year of completion. Some of the structures
have been modified externally and most have had significant modifications made
to the interiors. All buildings maintain the rustic 1930's style externally.
- Visitor
Center-1936
This building was designed to blend in with an intermittent
stream valley to its rear and to provide the feeling of natural approaches to
the cave entrance. The front portico was enclosed and the building was extensively
enlarged 1979-1980.
- Elevator
Building-1938
225 yards (206 m) south of visitor center,
accessible on a footpath.
The elevator shaft was completed in 1934 and
the first elevator installed in 1935.
A second elevator was added in 1959.
Both elevators were replaced in 1998-1999.
- Superintendent's
Residence-1934
Across parking lot and furthest from visitor
center (200 yards, 183 m), uphill, and slightly to the north.
This house
bears elements of English cottage and Tudor design.
- Superintendent's
Cottage-1939
Northernmost residence, 210 yards (193 m) north
of visitor center, across parking lot, overlooking area of original cave entrance.
The original structure was built in 1905. It was later modified in 1918,
1924, and 1939. The 1939 addition, on the northwest corner of the original house,
was built as a dormitory facility for ranger staff. Today, that wing is used for
storage.
- Ranger
Cabin-1935
110 yards (101 m) NW of visitor center and across
the parking lot; the northernmost of three small houses.
The house was
built originally in 1924. The entire house was moved and remodeled in 1935. The
original exterior was covered with wood shingles.
- Employee
Residence-1934
86 yards (79 m) W of visitor center and across
the parking lot.
- Employee
Residence-1932
66 yards (61 m) directly opposite visitor
center.
- Ranger's
Dormitory and Mess House-1931
120 yards (111 m) SW of visitor
center, across the parking lot, and atop a hill.
This structure was planned
originally to be a ranger dormitory. Later, it was considered too small for that
purpose, and remodeled into a residence. - VIP
Center-1935
Across from the Elevator Building.
- Other
historic structures near the visitor center and visible from the parking lot are
currently used as garages and for storage.
- Historic
Cave Entrance and Stairs
200 yards (182 m) north of visitor
center, accessible by a footpath.
The natural opening to the cave
was discovered in 1881. Due to its small size, the area surrounding the entrance
was enlarged slightly. The limestone surrounding the natural opening appears angular
and unweathered, indicating an attempt at blasting. A larger artificial opening
was blasted from the surface to natural cave passageway about 30 feet (9 m) SW
of the natural entrance between 1892 and 1894. This new entrance was in the form
of steeply downward tilting tube. A yet newer entrance was constructed in 1936
by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The floor of the steep early entrance was
blasted to produce a gentler grade which connected with the existing wooden stairs.
Concrete stairs were poured in this new section and all wooden stairs were replaced
with concrete.
The entrance portal was inlaid with large stones creating
rock-lined tunnel from the outside to its juncture with natural rock of cave.
Inside the entrance portal, a thick-slabbed wooden door with a circular vent was
installed. An iron gate was installed inside of the door. The door restricted
some of the artificial airflow. Above the entrance portal, a slope of earth fill
was added and built up to the level of the parking lot access road. The entrance
portal and overlying fill gave the illusion of a natural setting.
The
1936 entrance remained virtually unchanged for over 50 years. A revolving door
was installed at the entrance in 1991 to slow artificial air exchange. Park management
was concerned about changes to natural cave environment brought about by artificial
air circulation. The historic flavor of 1936 entrance remains, but hidden behind
the revolving door.
- Beaver
Creek Bridge
2 miles (3.2 km) north of Wind Cave visitor
center on S.D. Highway 87.
Built in 1929, the Beaver Creek Bridge
spans one of three perennial streams that flow into Wind Cave National Park. The
bridge is a deck arch built of concrete and steel. It is 225 feet (69 m) long
and sits 115 feet (35 m) above the canyon floor. The bridge was constructed to
provide a scenic access to newly developing Custer State Park, north of Wind Cave
National Park.
The Beaver Creek Bridge is historically significant. It
is the only bridge of its particular arch type in South Dakota. Architects of
the bridge made a significant accomplishment by creating the illusion that both
concrete arches rise naturally from rock walls on opposite sides of the canyon.
Construction of the bridge was made possible through the efforts of Peter Norbeck,
U.S. Senator from South Dakota. Senator Norbeck was also involved with the development
of Custer State Park and scenic highways within Black Hills. - Norbeck
Dam
The Norbeck Dam is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of the visitor
center on S.D. 87.
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