Elk Point in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Election in Northwestern United States

January 8, 2022

1. First Election in Northwestern United States Marker

Inscription. Lewis & Clark reached a point in what is now Sioux City on August 20, 1804 near the mouth of Floyd River. Sergeant Charles Floyd, who had been taken sick with a "Biliose Chorlick" the day before, died near a bluff on the east side of the river. The small river was named for him. The next day they passed the Big Sioux and on the evening of the 22nd, they tied up on the north bank of the river at a point they even then called Elk Point, on account of the elk seen in the vicinity. The two captains, who shared their leadership, as does a partnership, each partner having exact equality, conducted their own primary election and nominated privates Pat Gass, a Pennsylvanian; George Gibson from the same state and William Bratton, the expedition's blacksmith, for the vacancy left by Floyd's death. This was the first election ever held in the Louisiana Purchase and the Northwestern part of the United States. Pat Gass was the winner with nineteen out of a possible twenty-seven votes, if only soldiers and that seems most probable, could vote. Gass proved to be a most acceptable sergeant and his journal furnished a most worthy auxiliary

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to those kept by the two captains.

Erected 1966 by Union County Commissioners. (Marker Number 407.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 20, 1804.

Location. 42° 41.131′ N, 96° 40.976′ W. Marker is in Elk Point, South Dakota, in Union County. It is on East Main Street west of North Grant Street, on the right when traveling east. Located in front of the Union County Courthouse in Elk Point. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elk Point SD 57025, 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

January 8, 2022

2. First Election in Northwestern United States Marker

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elk Point (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lewis & Clark Campsite / Eli Wixson Farm Site (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (approx. 0.6 miles away); U.S. Democracy Cross the Mississippi River (approx. 0.6 miles away); Patrick Gass (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named A Land of Plenty (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Entering an Uncertain Land (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elk Point.

Other markers no longer nearby. Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); U.S. Democracy Crosses the Mississippi River (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Land of Plenty (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Entering an Uncertain Land (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

First Election in Northwestern United States Marker at the Union County Court House image. Click for full size.

January 8, 2022

3. First Election in Northwestern United States Marker at the Union County Court House

First Election in Northwestern United States Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

January 8, 2022

4. First Election in Northwestern United States Marker, from the west

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2022. This page has been viewed 369 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 11, 2022. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.