Hot Springs in Fall River County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive

October 17, 2021

1. Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker

Inscription. This highway along Fall River is dedicated to Leslie Jensen, 15th Governor of South Dakota 1937-1939, a native of Hot Springs, and a son of Chris Jensen, Black Hills Pioneer and Lillie May Haxby Jensen. Educated in Hot Springs, Culver Military Academy and the University of South Dakota, he took an early interest in the Military and was a Lieutenant in the 4th South Dakota Infantry on the Mexican Border in 1916-17 and when that organization became the 147th Field Artillery in World War I, he went to France with it and was the Regimental Adjutant. Staying with the 147th, he was its Lieutenant Colonel in 1937 when, as Governor, he became his own Commander-in-Chief. Promoted to Colonel in 1941, he took his Regiment to the South Pacific in World War II and when the Regiment was battalionized in 1943, he served with distinction as a Base Commander on the staff of the Commanding General of the Sixth Army. In 1921 he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the District of South Dakota serving until 1934 when he returned to Hot Springs and to the telephone business which his father had started in 1894. His administration,

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in 1937, initiated a Highway Construction program of great economic and social benefit to his native state.

Reverse: You Are Entering
Hot Springs,
Sites Of
National and State
Soldiers Homes

Erected 1962 by J.E. Steger and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 347.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 43° 25.144′ N, 103° 27.527′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, South Dakota, in Fall River County. It is at the intersection of Fall River Road (U.S. 385) and Hidden Nook Trail, on the right when traveling south on Fall River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13013 Fall River Road, Hot Springs SD 57747, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River.

It is also in the American Black Hills,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker (<i>Reverse Side</i>) image. Click for full size.

October 17, 2021

2. Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker (Reverse Side)

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hot Springs, SD (within shouting distance of this marker); Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, SD (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sandstone Architecture of Hot Springs, SD (approx. 1.6 miles away); Historic Wood Jail (approx. 1.6 miles away); Battle Mountain (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive (approx. 2.2 miles away); Fall River Falls (approx. 2.8 miles away); John Stevenson Robertson: Pioneer Horticulturalist (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Another marker is no longer nearby. An Old Jail (was approx. 1.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker Addition image. Click for full size.

October 17, 2021

3. Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker Addition

"Leslie Jensen died 14 December 1964"

Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker, from the north image. Click for full size.

October 17, 2021

4. Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker, from the north

Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker, from the south image. Click for full size.

October 17, 2021

5. Leslie Jensen Scenic Drive Marker, from the south

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2021. This page has been viewed 378 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 22, 2021. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.