Entered into the National
Register of Historic Places
June 19, 1973
Under the National Preservation
Act of October 15, 1966
Bear Butte was placed in the National
Register Because of its Spiritual value
To the Plains Indians . . . — — Map (db m172497) HM
On 206th Street (South Dakota Route 34) 0.2 miles west of 131st Street (South Dakota Route 79), on the left when traveling east.
This 4,422 foot high volcanic bubble rises 1,200 feet above the plains, a guide for centuries to Indians, fur traders, soldiers, cowboys, and travelers. It was visited or passed by Verendrye, 1743; Lt. G. K. Warren, 1855; Hayden, the scientist and . . . — — Map (db m177396) HM
On 206th Street (State Highway 34) near Custer Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Reported damaged.
This area, extending along Bear Butte Creek, was for centuries a select camp site for the Plains Indians, who found here mountain spring water, wood, protection from the bitter north winds, together with much game and wild fruit in season. Here, or . . . — — Map (db m184003) HM
On Junction Avenue at Harmon Street on Junction Avenue.
Sturgis City, as it was originally called, was laid out by Major Jeremiah Wilcox on August 16, 1878. it was positioned to take advantage of the recently established site of Fort Meade, 1.5 miles to the east, and named for the commander of that . . . — — Map (db m174066) HM
On Junction Avenue at Harmon Street on Junction Avenue.
The Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868 held implications that would impact the destiny of the Lakota people for generations. The government promised in the 1868 treaty to care for them by building an agency on the reservation with commensurate . . . — — Map (db m174078) HM
On 130th Avenue (South Dakota Route 79) at 201st Street, on the right when traveling north on 130th Avenue.
Camp J.G. Sturgis
Named for Lt. J.G. Sturgis, killed June 25, 1876 at Battle of Little Big Horn. Established July 1, 1878 in this area by Cos. G.F.I.K., 1st US Infantry; D.G. 11th US Infantry; Hq. & Trs. A.C.D.E.G.I.K.M. 7th US Cavalry; Col. . . . — — Map (db m177387) HM
With a military expedition
camped in the vicinity
July 10, & 11th, 1859.
He conducted on Sunday
the first Christian services
on Meade County soil. — — Map (db m172481) HM
On Sherman Street at Meade Street, on the right when traveling east on Sherman Street.
This youthful pony mail carrier on the Sidney-Deadwood Gold Trail was ambushed, killed, and scalped in what is now south Sturgis on August 19, 1876. He was buried, next morning, by passing pioneers. On June 7, 1889, local citizens re-interred him . . . — — Map (db m183999) HM
On Junction Avenue north of Harmon Street, on the right when traveling north.
Charles "Red" Nolin, pony mail carrier on the Sidney-Deadwood trail, was ambushed, killed, and scalped here by Indians on August 19, 1876.
On this evening, Nolin stopped by Alkali Creek, where the National Cemetery is now located. Here a . . . — — Map (db m184002) HM
On South Dakota Route 34 at Custer Avenue, on the left when traveling east on State Route 34.
Camps D-Army-1 & SCS-6 (Fechner): 1/2 mile S on W edge of Ft. Meade D-Army-1 company: 2758--7/20/34-10/31/35. SCS-6 companies: 2765--10/15/36-5/27/42; 4725V--5/28/42-7/27/42. The Civilian Conservation Corps was a federal work-relief program during . . . — — Map (db m184004) HM
Noavosse (cheyenne) "The good Mountain"
Mato Paha (Sioux) "Bear Mountain"
Here through the centuries plains Indians received spiritual guidance
from their creator.
Here the Cheyenne Prophet, Sweet Medicine, received the 4 . . . — — Map (db m172490) HM
On Junction Avenue at Harmon Street on Junction Avenue.
On this site, the evening of August 19, 1876, 24-year-old Charles "Red" Nolin, pony mail carrier was shot and scalped. He was asked by members of the Schofeld Freighting Outfit to stay with them for the night because of the presence of Indians in . . . — — Map (db m174075) HM
There had long been talk of the need for a military post in the region. As far back as 1857, First Lieutenant Warren recognized the strategic importance of the Black Hills. On Sept. 30, 1857, Lt Warren, while on a military survey of the region, . . . — — Map (db m174069) HM
Born in Ohio in 1876, he came to South Dakota in 1907. With scant education, he achieved college degrees, taught for 25 years, his last school at 86, to afford him time for summer research.
He wrote "Mato Paha", the story of Bear Butte, a . . . — — Map (db m180977) HM
On Junction Avenue at Harmon Street on Junction Avenue.
As the United States grew and people moved west, they came in contact with the Native Americans. Out of these contacts conflicts arose. In response to these conflicts, the United States government enacted treaties with the Native Americans.
. . . — — Map (db m174081) HM