Pierre in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Quartzite Border
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 14, 2019
1. The Quartzite Border Marker
Following South Dakota's admission as a state in 1889, the United States Department of Interior called on Surveyor Charles H. Bates to survey and mark the border between North and South Dakota. After purchasing quartzite stone from North Sioux Falls Stone Company, Bates worked through 1891 and 1892 setting 720 quartzite pillars like this one every 1/2 mile along the line.
The boundary became known as the "quartzite border" and it is the only state boundary marked in this fashion. More information about the marker program is available in the Cultural Heritage Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 44° 22.388′ N, 100° 20.323′ W. Marker is in Pierre, South Dakota, in Hughes County. It is on Governors Drive 0.3 miles north of E. Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 Governors Drive, Pierre SD 57501, 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Combat Wounded Veterans (approx. half a mile away); Flaming Fountain Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. half a mile away); South Dakota World War II Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Fighting Stallions Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Signing of the Constitution Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); South Dakota State Capitol (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierre.
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 14, 2019
2. The Quartzite Border Marker
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 14, 2019
3. Cultural Heritage Center
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
