1873 - New location for the agency

1873 - A new site for the Grand River Agency was selected at a location some fifty-five miles up the Missouri River, and on July 18, 1873, the steamboat Silver Lake moved the agency there. Although the agency site was changed in 1873, it continued to be called the Grand River Indian Agency until December 22, 1874, when the name was changed to the Standing Rock Agency. The agency’s name was derived from the famous Standing Rock, a stone sacred to the Indians. This stone, if viewed from the correct angle and with some degree of imagination, resembles the seated figure of a small, shawled woman with a child on her back. The rock was carried by the tribe, and it occupied a position in the center of each village in which they lived. This stone was the common property of the Teton Sioux and was venerated as a sacred relic. It lay for years in the section occupied by the Lower Yanktonais, and that band was the protector of the rock. The new location of the agency was regarded a wise selection. It was situated on high tableland at a point where the Missouri River was narrow and deep. It also had a river landing which was accessible to steamboats in all stages of water. There was an abundance of cottonwood timber suitable for building purposes, above and below the agency. In addition, a tract of land nearby appeared to be sufficient to accommodate all the Indians for farming purposes. Since the new location at Standing Rock was to be a permanent home for the Indians, Agent Palmer requested that new ground be broken for the spring planting. He also suggested the construction of three hundred log houses for the Indians. Two Bears, principal chief of the Lower Yanktonais and Running Antelope, the principal chief of the Hunkpapas, consented to locate in the vicinity of the agency.

1870 - Fort Yates

Fort Yates was designated as a military fort. 1870 - Because of this hostile attitude, it became apparent that a military force was necessary to maintain a more peaceful state of affairs at the agency. In compliance to pleas for protection, a military post was officially established on May 20, 1870. This post was built adjacent to the agency and accommodated companies A and F of the 17th infantry.

1872 - U.S. railroad survey teams atacked

1872 - In August, two U.S. railroad survey teams, each accompanied by about 500 troops, head into eastern Montana and are attacked by bands led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, with few casualties, but severe consequences. General William Sherman testified before Congress in March: "This railroad is a national enterprise, and we are forced to protect the men during its survey and construction, through, probably, the most warlike nation of Indians on this continent, who will fight for every foot of the line."

1873 - Rain In The Face

Rain-in-Face killed Dr. Honzinger and others accompanying him for trespassing on the land of the Lakotas.

1874 - Standing Rock officially named

December 22 – Standing Rock Indian Agency officially named. Name comes from a legend important to both Dakota and Lakota people. 1875 - This new site was located above the 46th Parallel of North Latitude; consequently, it lay outside of the area set apart as reservation in the Fort Laramie Treaty.

1874 - Rain In The Face arrested

December – Rain-in-the-Face, Hunkpapa, was arrested for killing two civilians under clouded circumstances on Sioux treaty lands. A military detachment under the command of Captain George Yates arrested a Sioux warrior, Rain-in-the-Face, at Standing Rock Agency. They claim that Rain In the Face had murdered two civilians, Dr. Honzinger and Mr. Baliran, over a year before.

1874 - Custer expedition into the Black Hills

Under government orders George Armstrong Custer left Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, to lead a geological expedition into the Black Hills. The expedition illegally trespassed in sacred area, which was a direct violation of the 1868 Treaty. Sioux protest to no avail. Bad feelings between federal official and Sioux escalated. Custer led an expedition into the Black Hills in a direct violation against the 1951 Fort Laramie Treaty. The expedition found gold in the Black Hills.

1875- March 17 - Executive Order to extend the northern boundary of Standing Rock

The Northern boundary of Standing Rock was extended to the Cannon Ball River, with the 102nd meridan as the Western boundary and the Missouri River as the eastern boundary.

Sioux (Standing Rock) Reserve.
[Occupied by Blackfeet, Hunkpapa, Lower and Upper Yanktonai Sioux; area, 4,176 square miles; established by treaty April 29, 1868, and act of February 28, 1877 (19 Stat., 254).]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 16, 1875.
It is hereby ordered that the tract of country in the Territory of Dakota lying within the following-described boundaries, viz: Commencing at a point where the one hundred and second degree of west longitude intersects the forty-sixth parallel of north latitude; thence north on said one hundred and second degree of longitude to the south bank of the Cannon Ball River; thence down and with the south bank of said river to a point on the east side of the Missouri River opposite the mouth of said Cannon Ball River; thence down and with the east bank of the Missouri River to the mouth of Beaver River; thence up and with the south bank of Beaver River to the one hundredth degree of west longitude; thence south with said one hundredth degree of longitude to the forty-sixth parallel of latitude; thence west with said parallel of latitude to the place of beginning, be, and the same hereby is, withdrawn from sale and set apart for the use of the several tribes of Sioux Indians, as an addition to their present reservation in said Territory.
U. S. GRANT.

1875 - Rain in the Face escapes

1875 - In addition to these problems, the invasion of the Black Hills by the military, and later the gold miners, caused the Sioux to remain restless through out the winter. Another source of tension was the escape of Rain-in-the-Face from Fort Lincoln.

1875 - Invasion of the Black Hills

1875 - There are 15,000 miners in the Black Hills at the beginning of the year. In spring, Red Cloud, Spotted Tail and other chiefs are summoned to Washington to meet with President Grant and discuss the Black Hills. The Indians argue among themselves about how to deal with the situation and nothing is resolved. The U.S. Senate Commission visits the Nebraska Agencies to offer $6 million for purchase of the Black Hills, but the Indians refuse. By November, President Grant abandons any attempts to keep the miners out of the Black Hills, ultimately reversing the U.S. position by protecting the miners and settlers. On December, 6, 1875, the U.S. Commissioner on Indian Affairs orders the Lakota onto the reservation by a Jan. 31, 1876 deadline, threatening to treat them as "hostiles" and have them arrested. Some Sioux, scattered during the harsh winter, don't receive the order.

1875 - Great Council on Standing Rock

The Standing Rock Sioux were highly irritated at the invasion of the Black Hills by miners and they refused to attend the grand council. They made their case by saying "It is no use in making treaties when the great father will either let white men break them or not have the power to prevent them from doing so." After much persuasion from the agent the people agreed to attend the council. The council was held September 20 to the 29, from the beginning there seemed little hope of a compromise on the distruted territory. 15,000 Indian people attended the council and, at various times came close to attacking the Black Hills commissioners. The Indian people would have no part of the treaty or negotiation for the Black Hills and the Big Horn Mountains.