The Black Hills gold rush began with the Custer Expedition of 1874. As Custer led his 1000 men through the Hills, two miners attached to the expedition uncovered small quantities of gold near present day Custer, South Dakota. As word spread, “Gold Fever” began in the Black Hills and people were flocking there in huge numbers. Gold seekers sought after quick transportation and mail service, and the stagecoach line was a means to provide it.

My life-size buffalo will have on one side a painting of a miner panning for gold, and buffalo grazing in the background. On the other side a scene of a stagecoach rushing to deliver its latest precious cargo, while passing a herd of buffalo.