De Smet in Kingsbury County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Father Pierre Jean De Smet

September 27, 2021

1. Father Pierre Jean De Smet Marker

Inscription. As a lasting tribute to the memory of Father Pierre Jean De Smet of the Society of Jesus, who for over thirty years offered his life in the service of the Indian people traveling far beyond the Rocky Mountains and sharing with them his deep love of God and country.

Latin Translation:

Petrus Joannes De Smet
E Societate Jesu
Perpetuitate laudis vivet
Quod XXX annorum laboribus
Indos ultra Montes Saxosos
A barbarie ad religionem civilemque
Cultum
Traduxit
P.V.B.A. Van Den Nest
Dendermonde Belgium

Erected 1986. (Marker Number 572.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list.

Location. 44° 23.152′ N, 97° 33.473′ W. Marker is in De Smet, South Dakota, in Kingsbury County. It is at the intersection of 3rd Street Southwest and Harvey Dunn Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling east on 3rd Street Southwest. Located on the northeast corner of Washington Park

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in De Smet. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: De Smet SD 57231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Matthew Lutheran Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Paul Lutheran Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Petri Lutheran Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kingsbury County Bank (approx. 0.4 miles away); Owen Shoe Shop (approx. 0.4 miles away); Power Tailor Shop (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Loftus Store (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bradley Drugstore (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in De Smet.

Father Pierre Jean De Smet Statue image. Click for full size.

September 27, 2021

2. Father Pierre Jean De Smet Statue

The sculptor was Michael Peleman and the fiberglass sculpture was dedicated in 1986.

Father Pierre Jean De Smet Marker & Statue image. Click for full size.

September 27, 2021

3. Father Pierre Jean De Smet Marker & Statue

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2021. This page has been viewed 610 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.