Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-06-17
A SOUTH DAKOTA RESORT.
A Hint to Seekers for Summer Conn
fort.

The following is reproduced as o.
local interest, as showing the admiration
in which travellers who visit "Sylvar
Lake" regard the picturesque scenery
of that charming spot:
| There are in the city of Dixon but
few members of the genius called globe
trotters, that is to say, Of the class OF
people who having travelled every
where. need no advice as to the ad-
vantage of this or that noted summer
resort. think there are perhaps none
in Dixon Of these individuals so fire.
quent in the East, Americans by birth,
but foreigners by instinct, who seek
their recreation solely in Europe, leav-
ing the beauties of their own country
unseen and unappreciated. There are,
however, in Dixon many persons who
are not extensive travellers, but who
have a few weeks in the year which
they can devote to a summer jaunt.
To some Of these persons information
as to locations attractive and desirable
for short visit may be acceptable.
During a recent western trip the
writer visited the Black Hills and was
very much charmed with the advant-
ages Of that district as a sojourning
place for tourists. There are many
places of unusual interest to be found
throughout the Hills. Among other
points may be mentioned Hot Springs,
where the scenery and hotel accomoda-
tions arc very attractive and congenial
to the traveller. The railroad ride from
Deadwood to Spearish through Spear
| fish Canon is another Of the celebrated
attractions and affords a picturesque
view not excelled by any similar trip
in any of the western mountains. The
railroad construction in that Canon is
one Of the wonders Of modern engineer
ing, and the streams in that vicinity
are well stocked with trout and afford
| excellent fishing. In my opinion, how
ever, the greatest attraction in the Hills
is to be found in the picturesque scenery
in the mountains near Custer at and
near Harney Peak. The elevations
here range from 2500 feet upwards in
height aid are surmounted by rugged
granite rocks and peaks Of gigantic size,
resembling castles and battlements, in
infinite variety of form. Huge single
granite rocks equalling in size the tall
est Chicago skyscrapers are to be found
in great numbers. Accessible paths can
be found to climb upon many OF these
crags, while others are insurmountable.
Fantastic freaks OF nature are numerous
in the form of giant overhanging rocks,
apparently just ready 20 topple into the
abysses below, while other formations
| resemble careless piles of children's
blocks only that the playthings are
thousands of tons in weight and so large
that the Dixon Court House land pos
sibly in age) would serve as only door
step to the toy house formed of these
pell nell GRANTEES. Canons thousands
of feet in depth topped with these CASTLE
lated rocks form view stupendous and
grand and once viewed never will be
forgotten.
About six miles north of the city of
Custer in the center Of some of these
grand views, and near the top of an
eminence lies Sylvan Lake. Upon the
edge of this lake there has been erect
ed at an expense of perhaps 100000 an
elegant hotel with all modern conven-
fences and furnished in handsome and
attractive style. A daily service by
coach conveyance has been established
from Custer to the lake and every at
tention is shown to travellers desiring
to visit this charming place. The forests
surrounding the lake are of magnificent
pines clear of underground and furnish
many romantic walks and restful re-
treats. Donkevs are kept for travel to
the mountain tops and in the busy heat
ed season, this cool resort resounds with
the laughter and enjoyment of scores of
many riders, young and old. forming
picnic visitors to Harney Peak or down
the gorges which intersperse the giant
hills.
The manager of the hotel at Sylvan
Lake is Mrs. Coles, lady well known
to many Dixon people. Reared in an
aristocratic family in New York, she
acquired familiarity with we'll known
society people of the metropolis, and
this experience, with much travel, has
given her knowledge of noted persons
and places which constitute her a
charming hostess, we'll calculated to in
terest her guests. All unite in praise
Of her vivacity as a conve sationlist and
her fervent interest and friendliness for
those in her charge.
The spring water supplying the hotel
is of sparkling purity and the equip
ment of the hotel is remarkable for its
neatness and comfort. The atmosphere
at the altitude of the hotel is very much
rarefied so that it is bracing and health
full during the warmest months, and
taken all in all this resort has no supe-
rior in America for summer sojourn.
But short distance to the north on
the B. & M. road brings one to the
great mining district of Deadwood and
Lead City and anyone visiting Sylvan
Lake will do we'll to run up to these
cities and obtain view of the great
gold mining industries and mills OF
that district. An excellent route to
Sylvan Lake from Dixon is found via
the c. & N. w. Ry. to Missouri Valley,