BEAR MOUNTAIN
Pennington County - Black Hills National Forest - 2S-3E-15
December 11, 1915: "The Harney Forest maintains two lookout stations, one on Harney Peak and one on Bear Mountain, where a Forest guard is constantly in attendance during the dangerous fire season. From these lookout stations it is possible to see over practically the entire forest and locate definitely any fire which may be started. Notwithstanding, these two efficient lookout stations it has happened upon several occasions that the Forest officers at Custer would be advised, by telephone from some citizen in regard to a forest fire before the information was received from the lookout stations. Seldom has a fire occurred on the Harney Forest within recent years that the Forest Supervisor did not receive at least a half a dozen telephone calls from various individuals giving information in regard to the fire. Each and every telephone call is very much appreciated for it shows conclusively that the sentiment is overwhelmingly against the destruction of National Forest resources by fire." (Lead Daily Call)
June 19, 1919: "The dry weather has increased the fire hazard and Mr. Michaud has been assigned to lookout duty on Bear Mountain. Lookouts will now be maintained on both Harney Peak and Bear Mountain until the end of the fire season." (News-Journal)
July 22, 1939: "The old wooden tower at Bear mountain, north of Custer, was dismantled and a 30-foot steel tower raised in its place. George Sturms is the lookout. Bear mountain, 7,200 feet high, affords a view into all of the Limestone country, east to Harney peak and south to Minnekahta." (Rapid City Journal)
March 9, 1961: "Withdrawal from appropriation, except under mineral leasing laws, has been ordered on 550.69 acres scattered through the Black Hills National Forest.
Most of the land is in tracts of 10 to 40 acres used for fire lookouts." Included in the order: Bear Mountain lookout. (Rapid City Journal)