Fort Pierre in Stanley County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Fort Pierre Chouteau and the "Yellow Stone"

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 2, 2021

1. Fort Pierre Chouteau and the "Yellow Stone" Marker

Inscription. Commissioned by Pierre Chouteau of the American Fur Company, the Yellow Stone was the first steamboat to ply the "upper" Missouri River above Council Bluffs, Iowa. Loaded with a variety of trade goods - including generous stocks of gunpowder, beads, knives, tobacco, and liquor - it arrived at Fort Tecumseh (the forerunner of Fort Pierre Chouteau) in the spring of 1831. Traders at the fort and its network of trading houses bartered these goods with American Indians in exchange for beaver, bison and other animal furs. The trade made Fort Pierre Chouteau on of the largest economic centers in the Northwest and bestowed great wealth upon Chouteau and his investors.

Steamboats like the Yellow Stone revolutionized the trade, replacing man-powered keelboats with steam-powered vessels. They were faster, larger, and required fewer men, making the trade more profitable. Steamboats dominated shipping along the upper Missouri until the arrival of railroads in the 1880s.

Picture Captions

Fort Pierre Chouteau Circa 1832-illustration by Betsey DeLoach ©2017

"Yellow Stone" Circa 1832-Illustration by Betsey DeLoache ©2017

Erected by Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission and the Pierre/Fort Pierre Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 44° 23.378′ N, 100° 23.336′ W. Marker is in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, in Stanley County. Marker is at the intersection of Benjamin Street and Fort Chauteau Road on Benjamin Street. Located near the entrance to the Fort Pierre Chouteau Historic Landmark. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2812 Benjamin St, Fort Pierre SD 57532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Scotty Philip and his Buffalo Ranch (here, next to this marker); Rivers and Trails (here, next to this marker); Fort Pierre Chouteau (within shouting distance of this marker); Fur Trade on the Upper Missouri River (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Pierre Chouteau: Fur Trade (1832-1855) (within shouting distance of this marker); Cultures Come Together (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Pierre Chouteau Site (about 600 feet away); Archaeology at Fort Pierre Chouteau (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Pierre.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 2, 2021

2. Fort Pierre Chouteau and the "Yellow Stone" Marker

Fort Pierre Chouteau Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 2, 2021

3. Fort Pierre Chouteau Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.