Pierre in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Quartzite Border
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. Marker 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.
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); South Dakota State Capitol (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hughes County Courthouse / Site of First Library in Pierre (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierre.
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 194 times since then and 22 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.