Belle Fourche in Butte County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Buckskin Johnny Cabin

Built in 1876

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 29, 2025

1. Buckskin Johnny Cabin Marker

Inscription. This cabin, the first in this vicinity was built by John T. Spaulding and his brother-in-law, Thomas J.Davis, in 1876-77 as a home for himself and Mr. and Mrs. Lucinda Davis and family. It was located on Lower Redwater 22 miles S.E. of here from logs felled in the Black Hills and hauled by team to the original site. The cabin was donated to the Belle Fourche Lions Club by Mr.and Mrs. William Helmer to be moved to the city of Belle Fourche and restored to as near the original as possible by the Belle-Fourche Lions Club as a historical monument to the early day frontiersmen.

Erected 1963 by The Black Hills Half Century Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 44° 40.459′ N, 103° 51.188′ W. Marker is in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, in Butte County. It can be reached from 5th Avenue (U.S. 85) north of Faulk Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the east side of the cabin. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche SD

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57717, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Buckskin Johnny" Spaulding Cabin (here, next to this marker); Korean War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Peace Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Butte County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Belle Fourche (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Western Cattle Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Belle Fourche (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belle Fourche.

More about this marker. The cabin is on the grounds of the Tri-State Museum and near the Geographic Center of the Monument.

Buckskin Johnny Cabin. Marker is on the right over the bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 29, 2025

2. Buckskin Johnny Cabin. Marker is on the right over the bench

A separate marker is near the cabin entrance.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. The 1876 Johnny Spaulding Cabin | Images of the Past. Biography of Johnny Spaulding by South Dakota Public Radio. <blockquote> Old log cabins have a certain romantic appeal. They’re symbols of early America as we want to remember it. Lamplight, wood burning stoves, quilts and feather pillows, warm and snug against wicked winters and wolves.

But the true-life story attached to one of the oldest pioneer dwellings in South Dakota actually does involve an honest-to-goodness romance, complete with adventure, deceit, love lost and love found again against the odds.*

This cabin was the first permanent dwelling in Butte County, on the northern edge of South Dakota’s Black Hills. It was built by “Buckskin” Johnny Spaulding. (Submitted on July 30, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

2. The Johnny Spaulding Cabin. Tri-State Museum and Visitors Center & At the Center of the Nation

Johnny Spaulding was a hunter, guide, scout, and a Black Hills area
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 29, 2025

3. Buckskin Johnny Cabin sign
pioneer, who came to the area during the 1876 gold rush. Johnny built this two-story cabin in 1876. It was no ordinary cabin; the hand-hewn logs had been hauled from the hills between Crook City and Deadwood. The cabin was originally located on the Lower Redwater River just north of Highway 34 east near Belle Fourche. Pioneers made the cabin a safe haven during the early days of Butte County.

(Submitted on July 30, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.