Yankton in Yankton County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Yankton Riverboats

Photographed by Connor Olson, January 27, 2022

1. Yankton Riverboats Marker

Inscription. Smoke-belching steamboats plied the riverway here from 1832 to 1900. Servicing forts, Indian agencies, and frontier villages, Sioux City and other ports dominated trade on the Upper Missouri because of their proximity to railroads. With its new Dakota Southern Railroad connection, growing population, and well-developed boat landing, Yankton became the leading port in 1873 and held the title for six years. At its peak, Yankton recorded 132 steamboat arrivals and 126 departures. That's a lot of smoke.

Captions:
Starting as a cabin boy at 12, Grant Marsh went on to pilot Coulson's boats in the 1870s. In June 1876 Marsh set a time record ferrying Reno-Benteen soldiers, who had been wounded in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, from Montana to Fort Abraham Lincoln in Dakota.
Steamboats such as Sanford B. Coulson's E.H. Durfee and Western were suited for the treacherous Missouri. These stern- wheelers carried 300-400 tons of cargo but drew only three feet of water.

Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Yankton.

Topics.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 42° 51.98′ N, 97° 23.416′ W. Marker is in Yankton, South Dakota, in Yankton County. It can be reached from Park Drive south of Levee Street. The marker is located in Riverside Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yankton SD 57078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Yankton Sioux Tribe

and 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: Yankton: Territorial Capital (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lewis & Clark Expedition (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Great Missouri River (about 400 feet away); Meridian Bridge Connects Continent from North to South

Photographed by Connor Olson, January 27, 2022

2. Yankton Riverboats Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); William H. McMaster (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crossroads of Culture (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sculpting the Landscape (approx. 0.2 miles away); USS Scorpion (SS-278) (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yankton.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 637 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.