The Black Hills of South Dakota is a territory known for not only it’s historical significance and ties to the past, but also the unique environmental and geological features present in the area that make the landscape a pride of the Great Plains.

Human interaction with the area goes back to 11,500 BC, with influence of the Clovis culture. The Black Hills are a sacred site for Indigenous tribes, with the Lakota tribe having taken territory of the Black Hills after conquering the Cheyenne in 1776. Though part of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 was aimed at preventing non-Indigenous settlement in perpetuity, a gold rush in the area led to the U.S Government taking over the Black Hills and forcibly relocating the Lakota. The Gold Rush of 1875 drew thousands of miners to the area, leading to increased development in the area.  According to the United States Forest Service website, “the name “Black Hills” comes from the Lakota words Paha Sapa, which mean “hills that are black.” Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear black.”

It’s no surprise that nestled deep within this mystic landscape lies the equally mesmerizing Meeker Cabin. Purchased by the United States Forest Service in 2004, the site consists of a main ranch house, barn, cabin, outhouses, and other structures. While the ranch house was built in 1887, the United States Forest Service notes that the Meeker Cabin was built by Frank Meeker and his son, Eugene, in 1913 to serve as a cabin for hunters and for visitors to the family’s ranch, which is nearby to the north and today is known as the Meeker Ranch.

According to the United States Forest Service, the Meeker Cabin is a 1 & 1/2 story log structure built in the single crib Rocky Mountain style. The structure has been deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places due to its alignment with the rustic vernacular architecture of the Black Hills region and association with the early 20th century settlement, farming, and ranching lifestyle of the Black Hills region.

The Black Hills National Forest aims to convert the Meeker Cabin into a recreational rental, allowing visitors the opportunity to both enjoy a rustic camping experience and take in the historic significance of the area. HistoriCorps and the Black Hills National Forest are teaming up to restore the cabin and prepare it for future recreational use, and we want you to be a part of this special experience so register today!