Near Egan in Moody County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Lone Tree
September 5, 2021
1. The Lone Tree Marker
Here on the Highway, in front of this marker, stood the "Lone Tree" for more than two generations. It was planted, a mere cottonwood seedling, in the hole left by pulling out the original survey stake (surveyed in September 1869 by Levi P. Drake and crew) at the corner of the NE quarter of Section 20 Township 106 N Range 49 E, which was homesteaded by George Cameron in 1880, Mrs. Cameron planted the seedling in 1881, little thinking that this tiny seedling would grow into a stately tree, which would be a beacon signal in a blizzard to save the life of a teacher, Emma Clancy, and her little flock of twelve children; nor did she think its existence later would provoke a terrific controversy as to its preservation as a landmark when a paved highway came under the shelter of its wide-spreading branches. Emaciated by this concrete-created drought about its roots, causing the tree to die, this marker is dedicated to preserve the memory of a famous landmark.
Erected 1956 by the M. W. C. Club and the State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 133.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1869.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in East River and in Greater Sioux Falls. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Colman Veterans Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Veteran's Memorial Park (approx. 4.3 miles away); Colman Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away); Lake County / Moody County (approx. 7.9 miles away); Governor Bill Janklow (approx. 7.9 miles away); Tribute to Pioneers Nels and Carrie Norgaard (approx. 8 miles away); Moody County Veterans Memorial (approx. 8.2 miles away); Sioux Valley Baptist Church (approx. 8.6 miles away).
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, September 6, 2016
2. The Lone Tree Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 4,750 times since then and 158 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2021. Photos: 1. submitted on September 7, 2021. 2. submitted on February 5, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
