Terry Peak was the first fire tower in the Black Hills to receive electricity, so in its earlier day was one of the most important lookouts in the area. The lookout was out of service by 1973 as a fire lookout location but the U.S. Forest Service converted the location into a viewing area for tourists. The cab has been removed but the base remains. Terry Peak being one of the more popular lookouts in the Black Hills of course received a record number of visitors. In the beginning the lookout room was put on stilts and a special room for visitors was built between it and the lookout's bachelor quarters on the first floor. The location is still popular with those visiting the Black Hills area.