Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-07-02
AT BEAUTIFUL SYLVAN LAKE.
Black Hills Scenic Spot Destined to Be-
come q Noted Summer Resort.

| come u ~ OtoQ summer hosort.
1t was the good fortune of q represen-
tative of the Telegram to attend the op-
ening of the noted Sylvan Lake summer !
resort the forepart of this week. Being |
his first visit he was much surprised at |
the revelations of this wonder spot in |
the Black Hills.
1t is located about six miles east of
Custer, $500 feet above sea level, in the
midst of rugged hills. 1t is an artificial
lake about half mile long and quarter
of mile wide. The plan was formed
and executed by J. G. Spencer in 1885,
1895, who had possession of about 800
acres of patented ground surrounding
what is now the lake.
Originally a small sized creek, fed by
large springs, flowed through depres-
sion in which the lake is now situated.
This was fringed with high, precipitous
rocks which at a point close together,
leaving only passage about 40 feet wide
between. Mr.. Spencer conceived the
plan of constructing dam between the
rocky walls at this point, and put in SOL
id masonry forty feet high, narrowing
to twenty feet wide at the top between
the rocks. This held the water back and |
made lake forty feet deep at the lower
part. The lifting of the water caused it
to food at the sides and wholly or par
TALLY surround the cliffs which fringed |
the creek. This now gives it most
unique scenic effect, found nowhere else |
in the Black Hills.
A commodious hotel building, boat
house, etc., were erected for the accom-
mediation of travellers. 1t has its own
water works system, piped from springs
4S0 feet higher than the hotel. 1t also
has its own sewerage system, and other
modern conveniences one would not ex-
pect under such conditions, making it a
very convenient as we'll as very delight
full place to stop.
| The entire premises are now under
lease to T. ]. Carroll, who took posses
sion last year. He has done much to
spread its fame and it is destined short.
ly to make the most famous summer re-
sort for hundreds of miles. At the op-
ening last Saturday the hotel was crowd
ed with guests.
Landlord Carroll has provided large
number of boats for the free use of his
guests and they are in continual use.
Fishing is good for those who like this
sport and tennis court is supplied for
those thus inclined. There is a splen-
did dance hall and music provided for
the devotees of this amusement. Also
there is large herd of donkeys for
making trips to various points of inter-
est.
There are enough points of interest
near the lake to engage ones attention
in successful trips for a number of days,
giving opportunity, to climb to ones
hearts content. Those who are dispos.
ed to not 20 far can find in "The Sunset
Rock" Queens Rock" Hanging
Rock" Engineers Rock" "Balloon
Rock" "The Chimneys," "The Arm
Chair" enough to interest them. The
"Arm Chair" is perhaps the most unique
being depression in the top of cliff
200 feet high, with walls like the sides
and back of an arm chair, which acts as
a sounding board for anyone who speaks
from this point The writer climbed to
the chair and easily conversed with peo-
pie at the hotel, 200 feet below and a
half mile away. Lack of time and space
prevents a further description of the
above named points, each of which is q
feature in itself we'll worth the effort to
see.
Harney's Peak, the highest point in
the Black Hills, about 5000 feet, is about
five miles from the lake. Though the
path is rough with many steep declivi-
ties to climb, the donkeys can easily
make the trip over and back in half a
day, enabling one to view from the top
of Harvey nearly the entire Black Hills.
1t is not difficult for ladies and chill
dren to make this trip with donkeys
and the view from the point richly re-
pays the effort. A tin box has been
placed in a crevice on the top for a
lpostoffice. Visitors are to leave their
cards or otherwise register, giving the
date of ascension. Visitors find on this
unique register the names of friends
who have been there several years pre-.
vious.
A description of the attractions would
not be complete without mentioning
! "The Needless" with Cathedral park be-
tween, on the road from the lake to
Harney Peak. The Needles are unlike
. anything else in the Hills. Perpendicu'
lar cliffs stand from 200 to 300 feet high
} being separated nearly to the ground
whence the name ''The Needles" There
r is nothing of this nature to compare
with them in the Hills.
o The scenic effect in the vicinity o
Q Sylvan Lake is more varied and pictur
{ esque than at any other point in tn,
+. Hills. Spearfish canyon is in some re
Q spects more imposing, but for variet
0 scenic effects is not equal to the coun
= try between Sylvan Lake and Harne.
o Peak. 1t is an ideal spot to 60 and &c
8 away from the world and commune will
y nature. 1t Is only few hours rid
y from any point in the Hills. The charge
d for accommodation are very reasonabl
c and there is no reason why anyone i
@ the Black Hills cannot be able to Sc
this wonderful spot Of nature.aDeac