The Pigtail Bridges

In 1932, Cecil Clyde Gideon, forged ahead with the design of the Pigtail Bridges when many felt it couldn’t be done. C.C., as he was called, was a pioneer in the Black Hills, making his mark as a master builder, architect, craftsman, lawman, highway designer, and personal guide to visitors. Riding horseback from his home at the Game lodge, Gideon and Senator Norbeck spent long hours laying out the Iron Mountain Road, the tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore and the bridges.

Norbeck wanted a rustic look but the elevation drop caused complex engineering problems. The bridge surfaces are neither straight, level, nor flat and rustic log work has great variation in quality. Logs were selected from nearby, cut to fit, seasoned, then put in place. With the completion of the bridges more scenic beauty of the Black Hills became available for all people to enjoy.

C.C. Gideon turned vision into reality.