FORT MEADE, S.D. – The Bear Butte Historic Preserve is currently conducting its second archeological dig at Fort Meade, just east of Sturgis.
Created in 2020, the 180-acre Preserve helps preserve, protect, and utilize key historical elements to the north of Fort Meade for education and tourism. The area includes the old fort firing range, Soap Suds Row, Native American history and the natural flora and fauna along Bear Butte Creek.
Last year, the dig uncovered evidence of Cavalry laundress life – or soap suds row.
Dr. Linea Sundstrom of Custer is leading the group of about 20 volunteers looking to uncover evidence of the life of the laundresses and their families. She says this is part of a larger initiative for the Preserve.
Sundstrom says last year’s dig found evidence of soap-making along with laundry-related items such as needles, buttons and shoe eyelets.
Sundstrom talks about items that have been found so far, including a military button.
Head of the Bear Butte Creek Historic Preservation Council is Logan Lamphere, who says the Preserve is also looking at this 180-acre preserve from a natural and ecological standpoint.
The Preservation Council has a 99-year contract with the owner of the land, the Meade 46-1 School District, and Lamphere says that gives them plenty of time to explore other areas of interest on the property located west of the high school.
All artifacts found in 2022 were retained for curation at the South Dakota Archaeological Research Center in Rapid City.
