Custer County Chronicle

Celebrate the golden days of summer in Custer at the 102nd Annual Gold Discovery Days celebration July 18-20.
In 1874 Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Cavalry troops into the Black Hills, where gold was discovered near present-day Custer. Along with the gold, Colonel Custer and his men discovered a wealth of beauty in the Black Hills.
Starting in 1923, Gold Discovery Days was born to commemorate the discovery. This year’s celebration promises something fun for everyone.

Three longtime Custer residents are being honored with the role of parade marshal in the 102nd Gold Discovery Days celebration, including Diane Dennis, Jim Kelley and Donna Kothe. Each marshal has made a golden mark in the community and has special memories of helping with Gold Discovery Days in the past. 
Diane Dennis said she was very surprised to hear she had been named a parade marshal. 
“I wanted to be one, but I didn’t expect to be,” said Dennis. “It’s quite an honor.”

Come celebrate the improvements being made at the Custer State Hospital (CSH) Cemetery through the efforts of the Friends of the CSH Cemetery at a picnic Saturday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Since 2022, the friends group has been leading a charge to restore the cemetery, fundraise for a memorial and bench as well as raise awareness about the history behind the plot of land. 
The cemetery consists of 44 graves, including 42 former residents of the facility and two parents of one of the residents buried there.