“Cheyenne River Crossing, 1876-1877 Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage Trail”

The Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage Line changed routes several times during its history. In 1876 and 1877, the Cheyenne to Deadwood stagecoaches came through what would become present- day Edgemont over what was known as Pollock’s Cutoff Route. The stages crossed the Cheyenne River just west of the current “Old Highway 18” railroad bridge. A stage station, called the Cheyenne River Station, was built nearby in early 1876 by J.W. Dear. The location of the station is believed to have been just east of the current mainline tracks, in the wye of the railroad lines. The Cheyenne River Stage Station in 1879 became the headquarters building for the Anglo American Cattle Company’s TOT Ranch, which was one of the first ranches to establish permanent headquarters in Fall River County. The railroad went through Edgemont in 1890.

Fall River County, on Highway 18 near Edgemont