In 1876, American pioneer John T. "Buckskin Johnny" Spaulding and his brother-in-law Thomas J. Davis built the first home, a two-story log cabin, two and a half miles southeast of present-day Belle Fourche.

[5] In early 1882, after the population of the area reached 100, the community decided to build the town on the east bank of Redwater River, at a location one-half mile south of Spaulding's cabin.

[6] The town flourished, and by 1883, its residents had built a post office,[5] two saloons, about six stores, Commercial Club, school, Methodist church,[7] bank, hotel, and flour mill.

Minneselans called their town "the future metropolis of the Black Hills and the midland city of the United States" and the "coming Chicago of the Midwest.

This ranch grew to become famous throughout the West for its thoroughbred trotting horse breeding, and in the spring of 1881, Bullock planted the first crop of alfalfa in the Western United States.

The new board of trade (established before the Chamber of Commerce) asked Bullock to negotiate with the railroad company on their behalf, to which he agreed.

[3] At the meeting, railroad owners said that they wanted donated land and preferred an 80-acre spot south of Minnesela that was open for filing.

Resident Douglas Sayre left the meeting and went to Rapid City's land office on his fastest horse.

[3] Seth Bullock donated a large amount of land on his ranch to allow the train depot to be built on the former site of the De Mores Station.

[8] On August 14, 1890, the last rail between Whitewood and the Middle Creek stockyards was laid, and the railroad began shipping livestock.

[5] In 1999, a sign was placed by the Butte County Historical Society on the former spot of the Minneselan post office and store.

[3] Minnesela is located on the Great Plains, approximately three miles southeast of Belle Fourche, Butte County, South Dakota.