Doc Hodge

Today I went for a long hike, off trail and down canyon. I ended up at Puckeroo Spring. I wanted to see if I could find the old Doc Hodge house. Doc Hodge was what we would call a naturopathic doctor nowadays. He was apparently friendly with the Sioux and learned about their methods of treating disease and injuries. He lived in a house in what is now Doc Hodge Draw. There is a Doc Hodge Spring too. I could see the remains of the house in Google maps and wanted to see it for myself. It is on private land, so I just looked from high spots along the fence line with the National Forest Service property. I can find almost nothing on the internet about Doc Hodge, and no photos of the old house. I did find this comment in an article in South Dakota Magazine.

Untamed Harding County
April 19, 2016
By John Andrews

Scott B Besler said:

In reply to Wayne Rosby’s question about the Doc Hodge place. Doc Hodge was an herbal doctor to whom many swore loyalty for curing illness and aches during those early years in Harding County. The Hodges had a ranch there along with Doc Hodges hospital/infirmary. The ranch stayed in the family for a number of years and is now part of the Lermeny ranch. My grandmother gave Doc Hodge credit for his treatment of my mother when she was a young girl and contracted Scarlet Fever. She said his herbal treatment lowered her high fever and may have saved her life. I too am obviously happy about that or I might not be here.

It just happens that I met Wayne Rosby and his wife, Dorothy, a few days ago. Charlie Miller stopped in with them and we had a nice visit. Dorothy is Charlie’s sister. At the time I didn’t even think to ask them about Doc Hodge’s house.

Here’s a satellite image from Google Maps, showing the old house.

Not much to see here, but I guess this is it. This was taken from the ridge above Puckeroo Spring. All the trees look closer to the house than they do in the Google Map image, but that is probably just the telephoto lens effect.

I’m not entirely sure this is the same building. I could see this from the fence line. Scott Besler’s comment indicated a hospital/infimary, whether it was part of the house or separate, I have no idea. That big tree in the background looks like the same tree in the first photo, as does the leaning tree on the right side of the photo. I can see the old stone walls in the Google Map image too.

One reply on “Doc Hodge”

This is a very interesting article, and the pictures are great. It’s so interesting that he collaborated with the Sioux, learned their way of healing and incorporated it with his practice!! Very cool story. I am a big believer in holistic medicine, and sure wish I could learn more about some of the Lakota herbal/natural remedies. No side effects listed on those!! I’ve actually been taking vitamin c infused with rose hips and magnesium and I’m feeling really good!!

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