“Bismarck-Deadwood Stage Trail”

At this point the Bismarck-Deadwood Trail passed in a line extending 240 miles from northeast to southwest. In 1877, the Dakota Territorial Legislature commissioned the survey of the trail, which transported passengers and freight between Bismarck, the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and Deadwood. Rich mineral deposits in the Black Hills had been confirmed by an 1874 expedition led by General George Custer.

The first four-horse Concord stagecoaches, owned by the Northwestern Express, Stage and Transportation Company, started over the trail from Bismarck in April 1877 with daily service in operation in May. A typical run took 36 hours and a one-way ticket cost $23. As many as 26 stagecoaches and more than 200 teams comprised the rolling stock. The Company also utilized many mule and oxen wagons to haul freight. Twenty relay stations and two overnight stations serviced the line.

Late in 1880 a shorter trail to the Black Hills was opened from Pierre, and the Bismarck route was soon abandoned by official traffic. The trail subsequently served area ranchers and settlers until a modern road system was developed.

Partial funding for this marker was made possible by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.

Corson County, HWY 12 1.75 east of Morristown