For several years now we've heard the automated voice on our weather radio refer to "Moon" as a location where a severe thunderstorm was expected to pass over. Oh, we knew all the other places, Deerfield, Hill City, Custer, etc. But Moon? Where the heck is Moon? All we knew was that it was in extreme western Pennington County. Well, we found it. And it's such a thriving spot we wanted to share it with you.
Welcome to Moon.
Moon, South Dakota was an actual incorporated town in the late 1800's. It was named after a local settler, named Jack Moon. Located near the corner of Boles Canyon Rd and Six Mile Rd, it was a tiny local community to serve the area ranchers, fur traders and prospectors. According to the nice local man we met while in the area placing this cache, at one time it had a general store, a bar, a post office, and several other buildings. There was even a campground here. Sometime in the 1920's or so the town more or less just died. The buildings were abandoned. The 14 or so acres that used to be the town are now under private ownership. Some of the buildings that remain are used as a private Elk hunting retreat. A couple of the cabins are privately owned. A few years ago the Forest Service pulled all remaining structures and evidence that there was even a campground.
The cache is on Black Hills National Forest land, and is not near any private property. You are looking for a small camo'd lockable container, which may or may not be winter friendly. In fact, you may or may not be able to get here in the winter. Please return the cache where you found it, and be sure it remains hidden with the surrounding natural material.
Please note: The area where the town used to be is designated no trespassing, so please don't go over there to poke around.
As with all our caches, be responsible, CITO if needed, be safe, and have fun!