Post by Lawtonka on May 14, 2006 9:58:49 GMT -6
I recently purchased this postcard. As you can see, it is labeled Custer Trail Ranch, Bad Lands, N. Dak. It is postmarked May 28, 13:30 a.m., Dickinson, N.D. 1910.
The card was listed as "where Custer camped." A typical Ebay thing. But the card was reasonalbe and it turned out to be quite interesting anyway.
I found out there were two brothers, Alden and Howard Eaton who had come to the Badlands, five miles south of Medora to establish their ranches in 1881 and 1882. The ranch covered both sides of the Little Missouri River. Later they consolidated to become the Custer Trail Ranch. It turns out that this was to become the first Dude Ranch in the U.S.
The Eatons named their operation the Custer Trail Ranch because General George Armstrong Custer camped near the ranch's Davis Creek on the way to the Little Bighorn. Early accommodations were modest, with guests sleeping several to a bed or on the floor for as little as $25 per month.
Evidentally, the camp they are refering to was camp #11, May 28, 1876 on Davis Creek. If so, this is near where the soldier's carved thier names.
I also found it interesting, the two brothers were inducted to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. The discovered there was more money in tourist than cattle at the time they were there in operation.
www.northdakotacowboy.com/Hall_of_Fame/Ranching/eaton_custer_trail_ranch.asp
