Blunt in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
You are now on the 100° Meridian
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018
1. You are now on the 100° Meridian Marker
Historically that meridian is significant. For two generations the Insurance Companies and other world-wide lending agencies would not, as a matter of agreed policy, lend a shiny dime west of this line. There reason was that some geographer had labeled it the EAST EDGE of the Great American Desert. Neither the geographer nor the Insurance Companies had been west of 100°. Today, more than a quarter of America's new animal wealth alone, is produced from that misnamed desert. This unrealistic, geographically limited loan policy, forced South Dakota into the farm loan business. Our Rural Credit Business cost us plenty and was a splendid illustration of why a State should not be in the loaning business. But South Dakota has paid all its debts in full. The 100th Meridian is just another bad memory. Historically however, the 100° Meridian was a most important one in Western economy.
Erected 1955 by Hyde Holding Company, Pierre, and the South Dakota State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 128.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list.
Location. 44° 30.731′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mentor Graham (approx. half a mile away); Fort Sully (approx. 13.9 miles away); Sully County, South Dakota Veteran's Memorial (approx. 13.9 miles away); Medicine Knoll River (approx. 14 miles away).
More about this marker. Both sides of marker are identical.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The 100° Meridian
Also see . . . 100th meridian: East-west divide between moist and arid parts of U.S. may be shifting. Science Daily website entry:
Nearly a century and a half after explorer John Wesley Powell zeroed in on the 100th meridian west as the dividing line between the humid east and arid west of the United States, researchers say he was right -- but that climate change is now moving the line eastward, into the traditionally fertile Midwest. The effects on U.S. farming and other pursuits could be huge. Now, 140 years later, scientists are looking again at the 100th meridian. In two just-published
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018
2. You are now on the 100° Meridian Marker (tall view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018
3. You are now on the 100° Meridian Marker (wide view looking west; US Highway 14 in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 617 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on September 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
