"Old Scooptown," as it was once called by it's first settlers, is now a thriving city of over 6,000 residents. Nestled between the Black Hills on it's north, and Fort Meade on it's east, it is a main entrance to Deadwood-Lead and a scenic portion of the beautiful mountains and valleys of the Black Hills; just as it was when the Sidney, Nebraska, Deadwood Stagecoach came there. Remnants of that Stagecoach trail are visible yet today.

Founded by military men and businessmen, Sturgis was incorporated in 1878. One of it's founders, Major S. D. Sturgis, who was in command of nearby Fort Meade, named the town after his son, Lt. J. G. Sturgis, who lost his life with General George A. Custer in the 1876 Battle of the Little Big Horn. Commerce thrived in early Sturgis, and today it is the seat of Meade County. Millions of cattle have provided great industry here. Sturgis is now host to South Dakota's greatest tourism event, the annual Sturgis Rally and Races. Bear Butte, a peak of the Black Hills that chose to be alone, is now a State Park and a Sturgis landmark. It is also still a sacred place to Native Americans.

Sturgis has it's share of colorful history with Fort Meade and characters like cigar-smokin' "Poker Alice Tubbs," a noted woman gambler, man killer, and hard drinker, who became a power in early politics.

There is lots to do here, from rodeos to rallies, caves, and historical sites. For more information call Sturgis Chamber of Commerce @ 605-347-2556.

Formed by the owner of a local motorcycle shop, the first Sturgis rally was held in 1938 with 19 racers at the half-mile track. Today, it is the Mecca of the motorcycle world. Enthusiasts come from all 50 states and foreign countries to attend this annual event. It was originally called the Black Hills Motor Classic. In 1992, the name was changed because people knew the event as "Sturgis." During World War II the rally was not held because so many were involved in the war, but attendance then grew steadily, with it's most recent attendance estimated at 375,000 persons. There is now a national Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in Sturgis.

The annual event lasts 7 days with racing and touring events. Five city blocks of Sturgis are closed for motorcycle traffic only, and all Black Hills towns prepare for the heavy influx of visitors. It is a colorful time in the Hills!

For more information, contact the Sturgis Rally and Races, Inc. @ 605-347-6570 or, ssr@rally.sturgis.sd.us.

Conflicts between Indians and whites caused the government to establish a military post to protect settlers in the region between Fort Laramie and Montana Forts. Camp Ruhlen, as it was first called when occupied by units of the 7th Cavalry near Bear Butte, was declared a military reservation in 1878. It was re-named Fort Meade in honor of Major General George Meade, an army commander during the Battle of Gettysburg. It was known as the "Peacekeeper Post."

Fort Meade has been home to nearly every Cavalry regiment in the U. S. Army. Soldiers who served in the Spanish American War and World War II trained at Fort Meade. The Star Spangled Banner became part of the evening military retreat ceremony at Fort Meade long before it became our National Anthem. The only survivor of the disastrous Battle of the Little Big Horn, a faithful horse named "Comanche" spent 7 years at Fort Meade where he was retired with full military honors.

When Fort Meade was closed as a military post in 1944, it was one of the last horse Cavalry posts in the United States. Jurisdiction was transferred to the Veterans Administration, and it was redesigned as a neuropsychiatric hospital for veterans, which it is today; one of the largest in the nation. The BLM now manages the 6700 acres of Fort Meade land. Camping and picnic units are available to the public, as is the Fort Meade Reservoir. A visit to the Fort Meade Cavalry Museum provides remnants of Cavalry life and a chance for reminiscing. One third of this area is on the National Register of Historic Places due to the numerous historical sites at Fort Meade. The beautiful Black Hills National Cemetery is known as the Arlington of the West.

For more information call Sturgis Chamber of Commerce at 605-347-2556.