Mobridge in Walworth County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
History Beneath the Waters
Mobridge Historic Trail
| | Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail | |
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 29, 2017
1. History Beneath the Waters Marker
A bit of history lies under the water behind Oahe Dam. Before the dam was built many islands and sandbars were commonly found along the Missouri River. When the Corps of Discovery traveled along this river on the way to the Pacific Ocean they landed on one of the now water-covered islands on October 8, 1804 and visited an Arikara village. This water-covered island (near the mouth of the Grand River close to Mobridge, South Dakota) was later dubbed Ashley Island, most likely after General William Ashley. Ashley accidentally ran his boat aground in front of the island in 1823 and the Arikaras, who had come to mistrust Euro-Americans attacked. Seventeen of Ashley's men were killed.
Today much of what Lewis and Clark observed in this area in 1804, including Ashley Island, is under water. Many features included on their maps were swallowed once the dam construction began in 1948. Today, Lake Oahe is the 4th largest man-made reservoir in the United States offering a myriad of recreational opportunities.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Man-Made Features
this page online
Location. 45° 33.021′ N, 100° 27.534′ W. Marker is in Mobridge, South Dakota, in Walworth County. It is on Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail 1 0.1 miles south of 20th Street W. Park at the corner of 20th Street W. and W. Railway Street. Walk down the trail .1 miles to the markers. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mobridge SD 57601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East River. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "MO.Bridge" (here, next to this marker); "Fool Soldier Band" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mobridge Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ensign Nathaniel Pryor (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lewis & Clark (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pierre Choteau (approx. 0.4 miles away); River of Hardship (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lewis & Clark meet the Arikaras (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobridge.
Additional keywords. Missouri River
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 29, 2017
2. History Beneath the Waters Marker
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk
3. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail 1.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 919 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
