THUNDER BUTTE: Herman Slides Off describes how Thunder Butte got its name in the following narrative, “The name Thunder Butte was given to the butte after a mysterious thunder storm originated from the butte. The incident was witnessed by an Indian hunting party. The group camped a few miles west of the butte and early one morning a small, dark cloud was forming on the top of the butte. And as the cloud grew larger, loud thunder was heard until a thunder storm moved out from the butte. Such incidents were witnessed by the Indians between 1850 and as late as 1910.
The butte was also known as a sacred place then. Signs of important forthcoming events could be seen on one side of the butte at certain times of the day. Examples of these signs were the coming of enemies or of a hard winter, the location of buffalo herds, and also signs of forthcoming individual mishaps.”

ISABEL: Isabel was named for a daughter of one of the Milwaukee Railroad officials.

IRON LIGHTNING: Iron Lightning was named after the Lakota headman, Iron Lightning.

Wasicu Ikceka Otunwahe – Dupree: The town of Dupree was given an Indian name which translates to ‘common man town.’ It is also named after a French man, Fred Dupree or Dupris, who married a Lakota woman from this area.

Mato Wakpa – Bear Creek: Long ago bears used to roam this creek before it was inhibited by people.
   
RED ELM: Red Elm was named for the elm trees of a reddish variety which were found in the vicinity of the community