Sturgis, South Dakota was named for Maj. S.D. Sturgis, commander of the military post in 1878, when the site was laid out. Sturgis is also the county seat of Meade County, the largest county in the State: it’s area exceeding the combined areas of Rhode Island and Delaware. The early population of Sturgis was made up largely of bullwhackers and bull trains, due to the large amount of supplies required by the military post and miners. In early August of each year, the population of Sturgis multiples by the thousands as the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally takes place.