Fort Meade, South Dakota — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Meade (Sturgis, South Dakota)

Sturgis · South Dakota · Indian Wars

Quick BriefFort Meade, originally known as Camp Sturgis and later Camp Ruhlen, is a former United States Army post located just east of Sturgis, South Dakota. Established in 1878 to protect white settlements in the northern Black Hills, especially the nearby gold mining area around Deadwood, the post became home to the reorganized 7th U.S. Cavalry and later served as headquarters for multiple cavalry regiments through World War II.

Active base todayOpen to visitors

History & Significance

After the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 set aside the Black Hills for the Lakota people, the discovery of gold in the 1870s prompted illegal white settlement and military intervention, with a temporary camp established in August 1876 and named Camp Sturgis in honor of 2nd Lt. James G. Sturgis, killed at Little Bighorn. The permanent post was established and garrisoned on August 31, 1878, by Major Henry M. Lazelle, 1st U.S. Infantry, and companies D and H of the 11th U.S. Infantry on a site selected by Lieutenant General Philip H. Sheridan.

The Secretary of War designated the post "Fort Meade" in honor of Major General George G. Meade, of Civil War fame. In June 1879, Comanche, the cavalry horse that survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn, was brought to Fort Meade and kept there until 1888 when he was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he died and was buried with military honors.

In 1892, post commander Colonel Caleb H. Carlton, 8th Cavalry, began the custom of playing the "Star Spangled Banner" at military ceremonies and requested proper respect for it, long before it became the national anthem. The Seventh Cavalry stationed at Fort Meade participated in the Ghost Dance War and Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. The fort was active from 1878 to 1944; it is currently home to a Veterans Health Administration hospital and South Dakota Army National Guard training facilities.

Key Facts

StateSouth Dakota

LocationSturgis

Established1878

Decommissioned1944

War / eraIndian Wars

Current statusMuseum / Historic Site

Coordinates44.40944444, -103.4711111

NRHP reference73001747

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

1878-era cavalry post with original officer quarters and parade ground
7th Cavalry history and Indian Wars exhibits
On-site Veterans Health Administration hospital with working historic grounds
Black Hills region setting near Sturgis gold rush country

Best time to visitLate spring through early fall (May-September) offers mild weather; winters are cold and can be snowy in the South Dakota Black Hills.

Getting thereThe nearest commercial air service is approximately 41.5 km away via Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA); drive to Sturgis, South Dakota.

From the nearest major airportRapid City Regional Airport (RAP)🚗 44 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 1 hr 1 min drive

Fort Meade (Sturgis, South Dakota)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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