Custer State Park

Gordon Stockade Improvements

November 30, 2004 marked the groundbreaking for the renovation of the Gordon Stockade in Custer State Park.  The Gordon Stockade is located near Stockade Lake on the western edge of the Park.  The Original Stockade was erected in six weeks by the John Gordon Party in the winter of 1874/1875. The restoration project is complete.

On March 30, 1999 Custer State Park Officials invited 30 people to form the Gordon Stockade Advisory Committee and participate in a series of meetings to discuss the various options for the deteriorating Stockade.  The advisory committee included local historians, school teachers, publishers, authors, contractors, media representatives, history buffs, local business people, past employees and a former commissioner of and South Dakota Department Game Fish and Parks.  In the spring of 2000 Custer State Park officials solicited the assistance of Wyss Associates, Inc. of Rapid City to serve as landscape architects and coordinator the planning process. 

The Advisory Committee, Park Staff, and Wyss Associates began a series of meetings to determine the best course of action to take and outline the scope of the project.  Several lively discussions were held during that summer and fall, as representatives weighed the various options.  A review of the Application to the National Register of Historic Places dated May 30 of 1988 was referenced, and consensus for an Interpretive Restoration was reached.  Wyss Associates, Inc. then recommended improvements to the site be made in order to better use and interpret the facility as part of long term planning for the Stockade Lake area.

Custer State Park Officials, with the help of Wyss Associates, Inc., then began the process for acquiring funding for the project.  On April 22, 2002, the project was successfully awarded a National Scenic Byway Grant for nearly 80% of the estimated costs.  Additionally, interested individuals, organizations, and the public have contributed over $3000.00 to help in the restoration efforts.

The Project Team then began production of Construction Documents in 2003.  Lund Associates, LTD, and Albertson Engineering of Rapid City were brought aboard for their contributions in Architecture and Structural Engineering.  A Floodplain Development Plan was heard by Custer County Commissioners in April of 2004.  The project was bid on July 8, 2004 and RCS Construction of Rapid City was awarded the project.

Work began November 30, 2004 with demolition at the Stockade and took nearly a year to complete. Work included construction of new perimeter walls and historically accurate corner bastions, restoration of 4 of the 7 cabins, construction of a new parking area with a trail leading to the Stockade.  Interpretive signage along the trail will highlight the historical significance this event had on the history of the Black Hills.