Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-04-16

qnarried mile away from the lake, and
transported over roads that were as
rough as they were new, and when the
grading was commenced logs had to be
cut and hauled to the ground where
they were burned to take the frost out
OF the earth and make 1t ready for the
| plough and scraper. And all this was
done while many were predicting that
the water supply was insufficient, and
that what there was could not be held
in the lake bed. But the lake is finish.
ed, there is water enough and to spare
and the natural and artificial walls have
proven water tight. The members Of
the Lake Company have displayed un-
limited courage and enterprise, and are
deserving of the success that has re-
warded their efforts.
"a
number Of times last summer and fall.
aud exploring its surroundings qnite ex-
tensively, believed We had viewed all
that was there of the grand and wonder
ful, but each trip is rewarded with
revelation OF something not seen or
even imagined before. Many of the
strangers who visited the axe site year
ago were filled with ecstasy over what
they saw, and came away with enthus-
iastic declarations that another summer
would find them back here again. To-
quent tongues have spoken and versatile
pens have written descriptions Of our
lake and its environments, but to be-
lieve and realize one must see with ones
own eyes. Many changes have been
made in the last year. The new road
from Custer makes drive even more
charming than the old one, and many
new places of interest have been ex-
plored and made accessible to the visi
tor. One hours ride from Custer
through three miles of verdant valleys
and over as many more Of pine clad
hills and you are on the shores of Gus.
ter Lake. Here boat houses will be
built aid equipped, and you have the
privilege of sailing on the placid surface
or bathing in the tempered waters. To
the left of the lake on slightly spot
among the protecting peaks Of the range
a hotel and other buildings will be
erected and every provision made for
the entertainment of all who come. To
the wae' and north of the building site
one may wander for hours feasting their
ey es en- scenery that is not surpassed in
the great Yosemite of California Scale
mass of granite which towers for hun
dreds OF feet above the surroundings,
then gaze down towards its base to a
natural park where MOSES, ferns, and
eyergreens flourish in almost tropical
luxurisnco; look away toward the hori-
zon over miles Of undulating blue black
hills, hazy with distance, or abruptly
broken by some bare, grim mountain
which pushes its way toward the heav-
ems, silent, lonely sentinel. Descend
from your lofty position to the valleys
again, then look up and about you to
walls and pinnacles Of granite which
melt away in forms and shapes char
acteristic Of whimsical, freakish nature.
See all this, and then you have seen one
OF the numberless wonders at Custer
Lake. A little west of the lake you may
leave the Custer road, and pleasant
drive of three miles brings you to the
base Of Harvey Peak. A long, easy
climb, and you are at the summit--on
the highest point in the Southern Hills.
Away up there among the clouds is one
of the finest picnic grounds in the en-
tire region, and spring Of clear, cold
water compliments the attraction which
the spot holds out to the weary climber.
This portion Of the Southern Hills,
Custer and her immediate surroundings
have been called the Switzerland of
America, our beautiful location, our
temperate climate, and the health-giv-
ing and renewing character of our pure,
rarified atmosphere have been enjoyed
not by Custer citizens alone, but shared
by hundreds of health and pleasure
seekers who have tarried with us dur
| ing the summer seasons of the past two
years. In the future we expect more Of
them, and Custer Lake as it is now, and
is to be. is for their pleasure and enjoy
ment and our own. To our people and
! to our guests, il will be in truth "a thing
Of beauty and joy forever"