Near Sundance in Crook County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Custer Expedition

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 6, 2016

1. Custer Expedition Marker

Inscription. In July 1874 Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, and more that 1000 soldiers, camped near here while engaged in a military expedition to explore the Black Hills. The expedition's official purpose was to locate a suitable site for an army post. Unofficially, several miners who accompanied the soldiers looked for verification of rumors about gold. This expedition violated the Treaty of 1868 which confirmed the Black Hills as Indian Domain and barred all white settlers and travelers from that country. In 1874, however, only a few "friends of the Indians" complained about the army trespass. On July 2, 1874, Custer and his men left Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. The expedition consisted of nearly the entire Seventh Cavalry, two companies of infantry, over 100 wagons, three Gatling guns, one cannon and sixty-one Santee Sioux and Arikara scouts. Although the Sioux tracked the command's progress, such a show of military might invited no attack. Eventually the expedition took on the air of a picnic. Custer's official report emphasized the Black Hill's beauty, agricultural potential, and likely mineral riches. He

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did not discuss potential post sites. Unofficial reports fed already rampant rumors about gold and miners began pushing the government to extinguish Indian title to the Black Hills. Obliging miners' interests, the government pressured the Sioux to move onto reservations and make further land cessions. By 1876 the Great Sioux War broke out and Custer, who blazed the road into the Black Hills which sparked the war, became one of that war's most famous casualties.

Erected by Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1874.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 44° 13.08′ N, 104° 16.254′ W. Marker was near Sundance, Wyoming, in Crook County. It was on State Highway 585 near Cold Springs Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1258 Wyoming HIghway 585, Sundance WY 82729, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Powder River Basin.

It was also in the American Mountain

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 6, 2016

2. Custer Expedition Marker

West,

in the Black Hills,

on the Great Plains,

on the Northern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 14 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Inyan Kara Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Canyon Springs Station: (approx. 11.7 miles away); Sundance Nature Area (approx. 13.9 miles away); Crook County (approx. 13.9 miles away); Black Hills (approx. 13.9 miles away); a different marker also named Custer Expedition (approx. 13.9 miles away); The "Sundance Kid" (approx. 14 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sundance.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Canyon Springs Stage Station (was approx. 11.8 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Black Hills Expedition - Wikipedia. Custer embarked on his expedition with 1000-1200 men, in 110 wagons with numerous horses and cattle of the 7th Cavalry, along with artillery and two months food supply.The expedition also took a number of Native American scouts led by Bloody Knife and Lean Bear. At the time, the Black Hills were relatively unknown, with few white expeditions ever returning from them.

Custer Expedition, the camp at Hidden Wood Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William H. Illingworth, July, 1874

3. Custer Expedition, the camp at Hidden Wood Creek

(Submitted on September 25, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, Sept 2022

4. Custer Expedition Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,550 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia.