Wessington Springs in Jerauld County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Historic Nobles Trail

August 29, 2021

1. Historic Nobles Trail Marker

Inscription. Remnants of this historic trail can be seen just south of Hwy 34 along the ridge. In 1857 Nobles Trail was built by Col. W.H. Nobles, from Mendota (the mouth of the Minnesota) via Fort Ridgley to the Missouri River. It was to be a wagon road from St. Paul to the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains. The spring on the south side of the city park played an important role. The engineer on the project wrote: "These springs furnish the only continually running water between the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers, excepting the James."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 44° 4.523′ N, 98° 34.544′ W. Marker is in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, in Jerauld County. It can be reached from State Highway 34 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South, on the right when traveling west. Located along the Old Grade Trail, near a roadside park overlook in western Wessington Springs. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wessington Springs SD 57382, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River

and specifically in the James River Valley.

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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert S. Vessey (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Vessey - Father of Mother's Day (within shouting distance of this marker); Wessington Springs Roadside Park (about

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Stone Bridge (about 300 feet away); Barbed Wire (about 400 feet away); Rube Goldberg Ski Lift Gadget (about 400 feet away); Plants Used For Food & Medicine (about 500 feet away); Grassland Versus Forest (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wessington Springs.

August 29, 2021

2. Historic Nobles Trail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2021. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2021. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.