The Buffalo Corrals

Commonly called "buffalo", bison (Bison bison) are North America's largest land mammal, and one of Custer State Park's most valuable resources.

Sometimes called "Lord of the Plains" the buffalo is a unique animal. A mature bull can stand up to six ...

Mary-Cooke Branch Munford

1865-1938

Mary-Cooke Branch Munford received her primary and secondary education in Richmond and New York. Prevented from attending college by her mother, Munford became an avid reader and developed an active social conscience. She served as the first woman on the ...

Campsite of General Custer's Expedition

August 1 - 6, 1874

This picturesque valley was the site of the permanent camp of the Black Hills Expedition of 1874 under the command of General George A. Custer of the 7th Cavalry. Their 5 day stay was the longest ...

Confederate Soldiers of McLaws Division

McLaws Division

Blanchard’s Brigade

1st and 2nd BN SC Reserves

6th and 7th BN SC Reserves

Kay’s Co SC Reserves

Conner’s Brigade

2nd SC 3rd SC

7th SC 8th SC

15th SC 20th SC

3rd SC BN

Fiser’s Brigade

1st GA

5th and 6th GA Reserves

2nd GA BN Reserves

27th GA BN

Hardy’s Brigade

50th ...

Wildlife and Fire

It would seem that a large forest fire would destroy an area for wildlife. However, the Galena Fire has improved much of the Park's wildlife habitat. The fire created many open meadows where grasses and shrubs are now growing. The ...

After the Fire

The Galena Fire consumed 16,788 acres, mostly within the borders of Custer State Park. More than $2.1 million was spent fighting the fire, and about $4.4 million worth of timber burned. None of Custer State Park's buildings were damaged, no ...

Site of The Battle of Dingle's Mill

This tablet marks

the site of the Battle

of Dingle's Mill

fought April 9, 1865

between

Potter's Brigade

and

the Reserve South

Carolina Malitia C.S.A.

Erected by

Dick Anderson

Chapter U.D.C.

(Lower stone marker text)

The adjacent marker was first placed on

the ...

Ivakota Farm

On this land stood Ivakota Farm, founded as a Progressive Era reform school and home for unwed mothers and their children. In 1915 Ella Shaw donated her 264-acre farm to the National Florence Crittenton Mission (NFCM). Named for the states ...

Fort Buffalo

Nearby once stood Fort Buffalo. This

earthwork fortification was built by the 21st New York Infantry of the Union army in 1861 and named for the troops’ hometown. During the Civil War, a concentration of forts existed in the Seven Corners ...

The Galena Fire Chronology

Contributing Factors

For several months prior to the Galena Fire, weather conditions were unusually hot and dry. Average annual precipitation for this region is 18 inches. In the 12 months before the fire only 11 inches fell in the Park.The Fire ...