| Sica Hollow State Park | |
|---|---|
  Location of Sica Hollow State Park in South Dakota | |
| Location | South Dakota, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°44′31″N 97°14′33″W / 45.74194°N 97.24250°W |
| Elevation | 1,781 ft (543 m)[1] |
| Governing body | South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks |
Sica Hollow State Park (also Sieche Hollow State Park) is a state park of South Dakota, USA. It was named Sica (pronounced shee-chah[3]), a Dakota word for bad or evil, due to the iron-red tinted water which was seen as blood by the Dakota tribe in the area.
In 1967, Sica Hollow was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.[4]
The Legend of Sica Hollow[edit]
Sica Hollow once protected many peaceful Indian camps. Its trees blocked the North Wind. But, a stranger named Hand came. He scared the females of the tribe. The old men said he would leave come spring.
However Hand did not leave when expected. Instead he taught the young boys to strike and kill. The old men sought help from Wicasa Wakan (wee-cha-sha wah-kahn), Medicine Man. They wanted to know what should be sacrificed to make the Hollow as it was.
Wicasa Wakan returned to his lodge and waited for Wakantanka (wah-kahn-tahn-kah), the Great Spirit, to reply. Soon Wakantanka sent his messenger, Thunderer. Thunderer's eyes flashed. His dark wings beat the air, and he brought a cloud that rained over the Hollow. Madness seized Hand. He tried to run, but vines encircled his ankles. The water filled his screaming mouth. Thunderer's talons ripped out his eyes so he would never see the Happy Hunting Ground.
Of all the people in the Hollow, only a raven-haired maiden called Fawn was saved from the rising water. She fled to the top of the highest hill and sang her grief and remorse to the Great Spirit. Then she slept many days. When she awoke, the Hollow was clean and bright. Yet the memory and the evil name linger.[5][6]
References[edit]
- ^ "Sieche Hollow State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. February 13, 1980. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
- ^ SouthDakota.com. "Palisades State Park". Retrieved February 28, 2011.
- ^ "Sica Hollow State Park". South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks.
- ^ "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
Year designated: 1967
- ^ Hunhoff, Bernie (June 2007). South Dakota Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities and Other Offbeat Stuff. Globe Pequot Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-7627-4336-0. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Blue Cloud Abbey: The Legend of Sica Hollow". Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
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External links[edit]
- Sica Hollow State Park at South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks website