Black Hills National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Michael Salisbury (605) 343 - 1567, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

VOLUNTEERS RESTORE MILLER CABIN

CUSTER, SD: NOVEMBER 12, 2008

Photo: Beth Steinhauer, November 12, 2008

Frank Schmechel, a volunteer from Wisconsin, came to the Black Hills in an effort to help preserve a piece of history.

Schmechel along with several other volunteers worked on the Miller Cabin located North of Deerfield Lake, about 15 miles Northwest of Hill City. They volunteered their time and expertise to help restore parts of the structure through a Nation-wide program called “Passport in Time,” a volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program of the USDA Forest Service.

“We are helping to preserve something that our kids and grandkids can come and look at someday,” Schmechel said.

The Miller Ranch was purchased in 1882 by John A. Miller. It originally resided in what is now Deerfield Reservoir. The cabin was moved to its current location in the 1950s before the Deerfield Reservoir was inundated. In the mid 1980s, the Forest Service purchased the land and cabin.

“With our tightening budget it is really important to have a group of people willing to take time out of their lives to come here and help in this preservation project,” said Michael Salisbury, Mystic Ranger District Archeology Technician.

The volunteers completed several restorations including: removing and replacing the shed roof, replacing the shed floor and walls, putting a door on the cabin, and re-enforcing the fence around the cabin. “The goal is to stabilize what we can to help the cabin withstand our harsh winters,” said Salisbury.

“There will eventually be a trail to the cabin along with an interpretive sign. We want to give people an idea of what it was like to live in the hills 100 years ago,” he said. “I think it is a real privilege to be involved with something like this and to help preserve a piece of our history, especially in the Black Hills.”

Schmechel said that the reason they got involved in this project was because they enjoy spending time together, having fun in the Black Hills and seeing beautiful country.

For more information visit the U.S. Forest Service website at www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills

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Photos: Beth Steinhauer, November 12, 2008