The Gordon Party Prompted an Illegal Invasion of the Black Hills

Spurred by rumors of gold, many prospector groups attempted to enter the Black Hills in the 1870s. Without regard to the Fort Laramie Treaty, they planned to enter the region and exploit the untapped wealth.
A group of 28 people headed west from Sioux City Iowa, and eluded the cavalry across the Dakota Territory. Following the wagon trail of the Custer Expedition, they made a permanent camp in this area in December 1874. Named after its leader, John Gordon, their structure became known as the Gordon Stockade.
Caught, But Not Prosecuted
Due to cold weather and sparse findings, six party members deserted the stockade in March 1875. Captured by the cavalry, they were forced to disclose the stockade's location.

Captain John Mix and the Second Cavalry Company discovered the stockade on April 5, 1875. They escorted the party members back to Fort Laramie. Ironically, many of them were not charged for any crime, and they returned in future months to continue their search for gold.
"Some of the members of the first expedition returned to the hills during the summer of 1875, others in the spring of 1876 - while a few never returned."
Annie Tallent, 1878
They Only Came for the Gold
The Gordon Party departed Sioux City, Iowa, on October 6, and arrived to this area



on December 23. The group spent the first three weeks building a stockade for protection. They then turned their efforts to gold panning in nearby frozen French Creek.
Party members panned throughout the valley, failing to make their efforts fruitful. Their tireless ambition made the dream seem worthy, but as time progressed, they became disheartened.

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Show me all markers in:  Custer, SD  |  Custer County  |  57730  |  South Dakota  |  United States of America

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An Agreement Between Cultures
Anna Donna Tallent
Campsite of General Custer's Expedition
Stockade Lake Bridge
Miners Meet 1875
Frontier Protection
Horace N. Ross
Custer County Courthouse

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