Bismarck Trail Ranch is located eight miles east of the town of Vale, 26 miles from Sturgis and 51 miles north of Rapid City, South Dakota. The ranch is located in an area that has long been considered one of the most agriculturally rich areas in South Dakota. Sturgis Airport can accommodate most private planes and jets with a 5,100-foot runway. Rapid City Regional Airport provides regular commercial air service, and it can also accommodate all types of private aircraft.
The town of Vale was founded in 1883 by Swedish Immigrant Andrew Rosander. At one time, Vale was a very active town, but now it is a relatively quiet small community. Today the population consists of approximately 136 people, with a Post Office, community center, church, café, ag service, restaurant, and bar.
Rapid City is the largest city in western South Dakota and is the gateway to the Black Hills. The population is approximately 75,000. Rapid City is full of all necessary services, fine restaurants, shopping, arts & culture, native American history, and numerous activities and attractions. The Black Hills are home to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, ski resorts, Deadwood, Sturgis, numerous parks and countless other attractions. Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, and sightseeing abound in the area.
Nearby Sturgis has a population of approximately 7,000 people and is well known for the annual motorcycle rally, which recently celebrated the 80th Anniversary. It is said that 500,000 people come to the Black Hills attendance. In 2015, the attendance was over 700,000 for the 75th rally. The event generates approximately $800 million in annual revenue.
The historic town of Deadwood, which has been portrayed in numerous movies and tv shows, is also nearby. Deadwood not only features gambling, but other entertainment and numerous restaurants as well as a vibrant nightlife.
Vale History: In the late 1870s Swedish Immigrant Andrew Rosander staked a claim on Cottonwood Creek and dug a 10 foot by 20 foot dugout in the side of the riverbank. He then applied for a permit to establish a post office in his dugout, which he also used as a general store which catered to cowboys and ranchers. On March 6, 1883 Andrew applied for and received a land permit and the Town of Vale was founded. In 1885 he built a two-story building. On the ground floor were the living quarters, a general store and the post office. On the second floor there was a lodge with sleeping quarters for travelers, a dance hall and a church. Andrew was also a cattle rancher and thrashed alfalfa for farmers in the area.
The Bismarck to Deadwood Trail, although a short-lived trail, was a busy one. When gold was discovered in the Black Hills, people needed a short and quick way to the Black Hills and Deadwood. Twelve stages and 150 horses were used on the line at the beginning. Besides the passenger line, there was a freight train employing 150 mule and ox teams. The first stages left Bismarck on April 11, 1877 with a load of sixty-eight passengers. The one-way ticket fare was $23.00. The regular tri-weekly stage schedule began May 2, 1877. By the middle of June 1877, 26 stages were on the route and 200 teams were engaged in transporting freight to the Black Hills.
The route was fairly safe, but the driver and express messenger were well-armed, and after the stage was held up in July of 1877, outriders were employed to protect the coaches. In the fall of 1877, a Native American attack resulted in some plundering of the mail. Aside from this, little trouble was encountered from the Native Americans. At one time in 1880, the company had 160 stage horses and 23 stagecoaches. Forty drivers and seven messengers handled the stage traffic. The freight line had 240 horses and mules owned by the company and 170 hired horses and mules. It employed 155 men in addition to 17 station men and cooks, eight blacksmiths, two wagon makers, two carpenters, two harness makers, 15 laborers, eight well diggers, five hay crews of 80 men in haying time. Its daily consumption of hay was five tons and 7,200 pounds of grain. It carried 600,00 pieces of freight and 3,000 passengers that year. The Black Hills Gold Rush subsided soon after 1880. The boom days of the gold mines had passed, as had the golden age of the stagecoach.
The Historical Marker for the Post Office of the deserted town of Clathorne is located on the East part of the ranch. The town existed from 1910–1914.
Mato Paha or “Bear Mountain” is the Lakota name given to Bear Butte, which can be seen from many locations on the ranch. This geological formation is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills that formed millions of years ago. From the 4,426-foot summit, you can view four states. The mountain is sacred to many Native American Tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies. Artifacts dating back 10,000 years have been found near Bear Butte. In more recent times, however, the Cheyenne and Lakota people have maintained a spiritual tie to this mountain. Notable leaders including, Red Cloud, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull have all visited Bear Butte. These visits culminated with an 1857 gathering of many Native American nations to discuss the advancement of white settlers into the Black Hills.