Medora in Billings County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Custer Trail

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2012

1. Custer Trail Marker

Inscription.

The Yellowstone Expedition of 1876, organized to suppress the hostile Sioux, marched from Fort Abraham Lincoln May 17, 1876. The Expedition camped at the junction of Davis Creek and the Little Missouri River, four miles south of Medora on May 29 and 30, 1876.

The camp site is historically significant having been occupied by Sully in 1864, Whistler in 1871, Stanley in 1872 and 1873, and Crook in 1876. Near this camp and to the north of it Sully fought the Indians in the summer of 1864.

After scouting up the river the preceding day in search of Indians, Custer’s troops left this camp on the morning of May 31, 1876. They proceeded in a westerly direction, passed to the north of Flat Top Butte, and entered Montana near Beach, North Dakota.

The Custer Trail extends to the banks of the Little Big Horn River in Montana. There on June 25, 1876, Custer and a portion of the 7th Cavalry were annihilated by hostile Indians many of whom had fought against Sully in the Medora vicinity in 1864.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is May 17, 1876.

Location. 46° 54.792′ N, 103° 31.501′ W. Marker is in Medora, North Dakota, in Billings County

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. Marker is at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and 3rd Street, on the left when traveling west on Pacific Avenue. The marker is located near the sidewalk, at the entrance to the Historic Medora Railroad Depot parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 270 Pacific Avenue, Medora ND 58645, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Medora Depot & Railroad (here, next to this marker); Hunting and Trapping (here, next to this marker); Margaret Roberts (within shouting distance of this marker); Medora Education (within shouting distance of this marker); Medora Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Roberts Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The President Returns (about 300 feet away); Stockmens State Bank (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medora.

More about this marker. The marker is a large, somewhat weathered, "western-style" wooden billboard.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Custer Trail / Yellowstone Expedition of 1876

Also see . . . 1876: Custer defeated; Lakota and Cheyenne prevail.

On June 25 and 26, on the Greasy Grass River (which is now known as the Little Bighorn), 2,000 Lakota and Cheyenne, who are defending their summer hunting camp,
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2012

2. Historic Medora Railroad Depot (marker is to the left off the photo.)
fight and defeat U.S. troops led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. Custer and the 209 soldiers fighting under him are killed. The Indians lose just 32 men.

(Submitted on July 29, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2017. This page has been viewed 584 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on August 4, 2020. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 15, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.