Near Elkton in Brookings County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
You are now Entering South Dakota
Created with its Twin North Dakota, 2 November 1889. Its 77,047 square miles ranks 15th in size. Those square miles include: exceptional corn land in the SE, grass land in the W, wheat land in the N and productive land all over. Its lowest point, Big Stone, is 979 feet above sea level; its highest, Harney Peak, at 7,247 feet is the highest point in the U.S.A. east of the Rockies. The Black Hills "The American Alps" are scenically unsurpassed and are the richest "100 Square Miles" minerally in the world. Mt. Rushmore, "The Shrine of Democracy" is visited by hundreds of thousands annually. Its Badlands are weirdly beautiful and undeniably bad.
Annually it ranks in the first ten states in the production of wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, grass, and cattle. Its Homestake Mine is the greatest gold producer in the western hemisphere.
South Dakota is "Economically, Physically, Recreationally" a State of "Infinite Variety". Its economy is well balanced.
First visited by white men, Verendrye, in 1743, for a century it was a fur traders paradise with a most romantic history.
Its highways are well marked: roadside Parks frequent, historic markers, such as this, are to be found therein and adjacent to historic sites.
Our Motto "Under God the People Rule" is symbolic of life in South Dakota.
South Dakota
and about to enter
Minnesota
Erected 1956 by South Dakota State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 651.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 2, 1889.
Location. 44° 16.125′ N, 96° 27.335′ W. Marker is near Elkton, South Dakota, in Brookings County. Marker is on 215th Street (U.S. 14) half a mile east of 487th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21494 US-14, Elkton SD 57026, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hole-In-The-Mountain (here, next to this marker); Brookings County / Moody County (approx. 8.2 miles away); In Honor Of Those Who Served (approx. 8.3 miles away in Minnesota); Geology of the Lake Benton Region (approx. 8.3 miles away in Minnesota); Wakpaipaksan Okodakiciye (approx. 15.3 miles away); Dakota Akicita Wokisye / Dakota Soldiers Memorial (approx. 15.3 miles away); Flandreau Christian Indian Community (approx. 15.3 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on August 19, 2021. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.