Elk Point in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Entering an Uncertain Land
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, March 29, 2016
1. Entering and Uncertain Land Marker
The Missouri River Valley, up to this location, was well-known to French and British fur trappers. For decades, trappers navigated down the Big Sioux River and the lower Missouri toward St. Louis. Due to the intimidating presence of the Yankton and Teton Sioux, the fur trade dwindled upriver from the mouth of the Big Sioux.
President Jefferson instructed the Corps of Discovery to seek out Indian tribes and record their languages, populations, religions, customs, food, clothing, and especially their willingness to trade with the United States. Given one desertion, a fatality, and four court-martials with less than one fourth of the journey completed, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were anxious as they prepared to fulfill Jefferson's orders by meeting with representatives of the Sioux Nations for the first time.
Picture Title
The Corps of Discovery first saw the conical tipis, used by the nomadic Northern Plains Indians, at the Yankton Sioux encampment.
Inset Paragraph
The Mysterious Mound
Artist's rendition of Spirit Mound
Strange stories abounded in this unfamiliar territory. One legend just 20 miles
this page online
Journal Entry
"..above this Bluff we had the Prairie Set on fire to let the Soues See that we were on the river, and as a Signal for them to Come to it."
William Clark, August 27, 1804
Erected by Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Lewis & Clark Expedition series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 27, 1804.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 42° 40.997′ N, 96° 41.611′ W. Marker was in Elk Point, South Dakota, in Union County. It could be reached from South Harrison Street ¼ mile south of West Jefferson Street. This marker is located with others to recognize the Lewis and Clark expedition camped here in this park. Touch for map.
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, May 14, 2016
2. Lewis & Clark's Historical Markers
Regionally, this marker was in East River. It was also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Entering an Uncertain Land (here, next to this marker); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named A Land of Plenty (here, next to this marker); U.S. Democracy Cross the Mississippi River (here, next to this marker); Patrick Gass (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (here, next to this marker); Flags of Elk Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis & Clark Campsite / Eli Wixson Farm Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, March 29, 2016
3. Lewis & Clark's Campsite Sign
Other markers no longer nearby. A Land of Plenty (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); U.S. Democracy Crosses the Mississippi River (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 695 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
