Faith in Meade County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Faith
Where Highways US 212 and SD 73 meet, at the end of the Cheyenne Branch of the Milwaukee Road, we live, a half mile above sea level of the Fox Ridge Divide, our souls nourished by the picture sunsets.
Our Grass is unsurpassed anywhere, producing beef, the backbone of our existence.
Bounded by the Cheyenne Reservation, the Moreau and the Cheyenne Rivers, the Black Hills our faith is boundless.
The area, opened for settlers in 1890 had few immediate takers but 1908-10 saw the rails push westward, homesteaders filed for the free land and were met with the stoic calm of the Sioux, led by Puts on His Shoes and Iron Lightning, two of Sitting Bull's chieftans.
The Matador [brand symbol], Flying V [brand symbol], Turkey Track [brand symbol], and other large cattle outfits lost their "free range" to the "honyocker's" plowed fields and protective barbed wire.
In 1910 Faith sprang up on this prairie, so vast in its extent that deceit finds no place to hide and man is known for his true stature which is well, since the county sheriff is 110 miles away.
Named in honor of the daughter of President Earling of the Milwaukee Railroad, her name has provided a sustaining influence these first fifty years.
Our livelihood being in direct ratio with the varying rainfall, our philosophy is: "Next Year Will be Better." Thanks for listening.
Erected 1960 by Faith Chamber of Commerce, State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 288.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, and the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 45° 1.386′ N, 102° 2.165′ W. Marker is in Faith, South Dakota, in Meade County. It is on 1st Street East (U.S. 212) east of East 1st Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 1st St E, Faith SD 57626, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West River and in Greater Rapid City. 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sue (within shouting distance of this marker); Bud Day (within shouting distance of this marker); Small Town / Badger Clark (approx. half a mile away).
Also see . . . Town of Faith website and history. Faith is the “T. rex Capital of the World” and was named for Faith Rockefeller. (Submitted on July 31, 2020.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 712 times since then and 111 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2021. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.

