In the heart of the Black Hills, a towering cross is said to be visible on the rock wall of a mountain. Like Colorado's more famous Mount of the Holy Cross, this Black Hills cross was first seen by frontiersmen of the last century. There are in fact two crosses, and their earliest mention is by author Edwin Curley in his pioneering Guide to the Black Hills. Curley wrote:
"From Custer I made the trip to the Deadwood region, passing a few miles out, some fine mountains, which I have called Santa Cruz Peaks, because of a huge Latin cross clearly defined on a tower-like peak, and a smaller one near it. These are formed by great clefts in the rocks and seem as if chiseled out by the hand of man."
Curley penned this first-hand account in 1876, the height of the rush for the Black Hills gold claims. The guide contains a miner's map listing the Santa Cruz Peaks. But the shadows and crevices forming the crosses must depend on the angle of view and time of day, as their exact location is in dispute. Take time to scan U.S. Highway 385 on your next drive north of Custer. Perhaps you'll spot the forgotten crosses of the Santa Cruz Peaks.
10/01/03