The name is Sioux Indian, for the appearance of the hills from a distance is black from the pine. They are called "Paha Sapa" or "Mess Sapa." Paha is hills, mess is mountain, Sapa is black, therefore Black Hills or Black Mountains. (WPA) Mountain range in South Dakota (Wyoming), called by the early French traders cote noire, "black hills," from the character of the timber which grows on them, giving a dark appearance. (Gannett, 1905)
