Fairburn in Custer County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Buffalo Corrals

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 7, 2011

1. The Buffalo Corrals Marker

Inscription. Commonly called "buffalo", bison (Bison bison) are North America's largest land mammal, and one of Custer State Park's most valuable resources.
Sometimes called "Lord of the Plains" the buffalo is a unique animal. A mature bull can stand up to six feet high at the shoulder and weigh nearly a ton. Looking very docile as they graze on the open prairie, buffalo can outrun a horse and turn with amazing agility. Stay in or near your vehicle when viewing buffalo. The Custer State Park herd averages about 1,450 animals after the calves are born. The herd is reduced to about 950 animals by public auction.

These corrals are used primarily in the fall when the annual buffalo roundup and auction are held. During the roundup in October the herd is brought into the corrals, calves are branded and females are vaccinated; approximately 500 animals are sorted for sale stock and then tested to meet state livestock regulations.

The bison that will remain in the park are released. Sale stock remain in the corrals until the auction on the third Saturday of November.

Buyers come from all over the United States and Canada to purchase bison from the park for breeding stock or for slaughter.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals.

Location. 43° 39.438′ N, 103° 21.816′ W. Marker is in Fairburn, South Dakota, in Custer County. It is on Wildlife Loop Road. Marker is in Custer State Park. There is an entry fee. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairburn SD 57738, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River

and in Greater Rapid City.

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bison: Symbol of the American West (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bison are Making a Comeback (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Buffalo: More Than an Animal-A Way of Life (approx. 1.2 miles away); Custer State Park: A Legacy of Conservation and Preservation (approx. 1.2 miles

The Buffalo Corrals image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 7, 2011

2. The Buffalo Corrals

away); Market Hunting was a Gruesome Business (approx. 1.2 miles away); America's First Environmental Success Story (approx. 1.2 miles away); State Game Lodge (approx. 7½ miles away); Cecil C. Gideon (approx. 7½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairburn.

Part of the Custer State Park buffalo herd image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 7, 2011

3. Part of the Custer State Park buffalo herd

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,485 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.