What is Devils Tower and why does its name matter?
Devils Tower is a prominent igneous rock formation in northeastern Wyoming, United States, recognized as the nation’s first national monument. The name most English speakers use today emerged from a mistranslation during an 1875 military survey, when a misinterpreted Indigenous term was recorded as ‘Devils Tower.’ This article explains how that name took hold, the Indigenous names for the site, the formal recognition of the current spelling, and why these details remain relevant to stewardship and cultural respect.
The 1875 survey and the origin of the English name
How a mistranscription created ‘Devils Tower’
In 1875, a U.S. Geological Survey party led by Colonel Richard I. Dodge visited the prominent hill near the Bear Lodge Mountains. The local Lakota name, Mato Tipila
(roughly, ‘Bear’s Lodge’ or ‘Tree Rock’), was recorded by an interpreter as Devils Tower
. That transcription—likely due to a mishearing or translation choice—was entered into federal maps and reports, cementing the English name in official use. The following table summarizes key verified details about this naming event.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Year of naming decision | 1875 | Federal survey records |
| Name at first federal record | Devils Tower | U.S. Geological Survey notes |
| Original Indigenous term (Lakota) | Mato Tipila | Lakota language sources and historical accounts |
| Site establishment as monument | September 24, 1906 | Antiquities Act designation by President Theodore Roosevelt |
| Current official spelling | Devils Tower | U.S. Board on Geographic Names, reaffirmed after 2005 review |
Indigenous names and meanings
Before the English label, the site held distinct names among regional tribes. These names typically reference bears, lodges, or trees, reflecting Indigenous narratives about the formation’s origin and spiritual significance. Several Plains and Plateau nations use names that translate to concepts such as ‘Bear Lodge’ or ‘Bear Rock.’ Understanding these names is part of honoring the deep, ongoing relationship between Tribal communities and the land.
- Lakota: Mato Tipila — ‘Bear Lodge’ or ‘Bear Rock’
- Arapaho: No reliable single-word equivalent; regional stories use descriptive phrases tied to bear symbolism
- Northern Cheyenne: Names emphasizing bear associations, though specific recorded forms vary by dialect
Official reviews and the 2005 naming review
How the name was reaffirmed
In the early 2000s, stakeholders reviewed the name Devils Tower in light of increased awareness about potentially derogatory geographic terms. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names conducted a formal review in 2005, examining historical records, Indigenous perspectives, and public comments. The board concluded that the long-established name Devils Tower should remain, citing widespread use in maps, legislation, and local practice. No alternative name achieved broad consensus, and the existing name was retained with an explanation of its historical origins.
Legal and administrative status today
What the current name means for management and visitors
Devils Tower National Monument is administered by the National Park Service under the Antiquities Act designation of 1906. The official name appears in federal law, land management plans, and visitor materials. Interpretation at the site now includes discussion of the original Lakota name and other Indigenous terms, aiming to provide a fuller, more respectful context. For visitors, the primary name remains Devils Tower, while educational programs acknowledge the layered history of naming and stewardship.
Key distinctions and common questions
Speakers sometimes confuse the site’s popular name with nearby geographic features or with terms from other languages. It is distinct from similar-sounding local landmarks and is not part of a broader ‘Devils’ toponym group. The legal designation, maps, and most tourism materials use Devils Tower as the proper name. Meanwhile, acknowledging Indigenous terms enriches understanding without changing the official nomenclature.
Why naming history matters for stewardship
Names shape how people relate to places. Recognizing that Devils Tower arose from a mistranscription—and that Native peoples called it Mato Tipila or similar terms—encourages more informed and respectful engagement. For Tribal communities, this history underscores the importance of consent and representation in how sites are described, managed, and visited. For the public, understanding the name’s background adds depth to the experience and supports ongoing conversations about cultural sensitivity in public lands stewardship.