Rapid City in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Rapid City Founders Camp Site

October 16, 2021

1. Rapid City Founders Camp Site Marker

Inscription. Near a perpendicular sandstone cliff a short distance North of here and across Rapid Creek (a marker denotes the site) was the first camp of those hardy pioneers who founded Rapid City. Here John R. Brennan, Martin Persinger, Thomas Ferguson, W. P. Martin, Albert Brown, William Marston, Samuel Scott, the surveyor, J. W. Allen, James Carney, Major Hutchinson and William Nuttal made their camp on February 24, 1876 and the name of Brennan, where he carved it in the sandstone cliff, is still to be seen.

The following day the town site, a mile square, was laid out by these men under the direction of Samuel Scott. One of the pioneer writers of the period said: "As makers of the history of the West, their names will be handed down to posterity while summer clouds shall wrap old Harney’s Brow and Black Hills waters run down to the sea."

Erected 1955 by Minnelusa Pioneer Association, Pennington County Commissioners and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 118.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 24, 1876.

Location. 44° 5.079′ N, 103° 14.578′

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W. Marker is in Rapid City, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker is on West Omaha Street (State Highway 44) north of Canal Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at the parking lot and entrance to Founders Park in Rapid City. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1510 W Omaha Street, Rapid City SD 57701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Eagles (a few steps from this marker); Rapid Creek Flood Mark (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Founders Park Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Rapid City's Founders (within shouting distance of this marker); Landscapes (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneers and Native Americans (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Places (within shouting distance of this marker); Follow the Horseshoes through Founders Park Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rapid City.

Rapid City Founders Camp Site Marker at Founders Park image. Click for full size.

October 16, 2021

2. Rapid City Founders Camp Site Marker at Founders Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2021. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 22, 2021. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.