Near Edgemont in Fall River County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cheyenne River Crossing
1876-1877 Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage Trail
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2018
1. Cheyenne River Crossing Marker
In 1876 and 1877, the Cheyenne to Deadwood stagecoaches came through what would become present day Edgemont over what was known as Pollock’s Cutoff Route. The stages crossed the Cheyenne River just west of the current “Old Highway 18” railroad bridge.
A stage station, called the Cheyenne River Station, was built nearby in early 1876 by J.W. Dear. The location of the station is believed to have been just east of the current mainline tracks, in the wye of the railroad lines.
The Cheyenne River Stage Station in 1879 became the headquarters building for the Anglo American Cattle Company’s TOT Ranch, which was one of the first ranches to establish permanent headquarters in Fall River County.
The railroad went through Edgemont in 1890.
Erected 2016 by State of South Dakota. (Marker Number 705.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 43° 18.575′ N, 103°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Siding 7 (here, next to this marker); Teddy Roosevelts's Visit to Edgemont (approx. 0.8 miles away); Edgemont: Where the Trail Begins (approx. 0.8 miles away); Camp Collier (approx. 3.1 miles away); MAFFS 7 (approx. 6.4 miles away); Battle the Blaze (approx. 6˝ miles away).
More about this marker. Marker is facing US Highway 18, and it is placed immediately to the right of a different marker related to this same location.
Also see . . . Along the Cheyenne-Deadwood Stage Trail. (This link presents several historic photos and stories of the Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage Line.) In the Summer of 1876 several attempts were made to reach Deadwood by stage from Cheyenne but turned back due to the danger of marauding Indians following their defeat of Custer at the Little Big Horn. On Sept. 25, however, Dave Dickey brought the first stage into Deadwood. The Black Hills route lasted only 11 years. Railroads reached much of the territory served by the
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2018
2. Cheyenne River Crossing Marker (wide view; this marker on right; related marker on left)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 616 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
