KNBN NewsCenter1
May 6, 2021
MEADE COUNTY, S.D. From April 24 to May 2, soldiers with the South Dakota National Guard 842nd Engineer Company partnered with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to refurbished the observation deck near the summit of Bear Butte as part of an Innovative Readiness Training project.
Bear Butte was established as a state park in 1961 and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Also known as Mato Paha or “Bear Mountain,” the geological laccolith formation is an important landmark and religious site for the Lakota and other Native American tribes.
About 15 soldiers from the unit’s vertical construction platoon worked on the project as part of their two-week annual training. They replaced the deck boards on the foundation of the 30-by-16 foot structure, installed new railings, and installed about 40 feet of stairs leading up to the platform.