Near Sioux Falls in Lincoln County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
A Trading Center
Photographed By Connor Olson, March 29, 2022
1. A Trading Center Marker
Inscription.
A Trading Center. . With abundant bison herds and control over the valuable pipestone quarries 52 miles to the north, Blood Run/Good Earth was well positioned to become a trading center. Hides and scapula hoes from bison were two important products for trade. Pieces of pipestone large and small indicate the villagers processed slabs of the stone into finished products here. This pipestone could be made into tablets, pipes, and jewelry. In exchange for their goods, the residents received marine shells, copper, obsidian, European glass beads, and flint, among other items. As regional peoples gathered to trade, they naturally exchanged their knowledge, technical skills, stories, songs, and culture. , Travel Corridors , The Big Sioux River eased travel to and from Blood Run/Good Earth. Some visitors may have used canoes or bull boats to get here. Others may have used the river valley for foot travel, knowing that the Big Sioux would always be a source of water and food. , Captions: , This bead was one of the European-manufactured goods found at Blood Run and arrived through trade between indigenous peoples. Fur traders and explorers may have heard of the villages but there is no evidence they visited here. , In the 1930s while working on his nearby farm, Even Evenson found this pipestone tablet in a post hole. The tablet contains several layers of etched drawings and may have been used for storytelling or ceremonial purposes. You can see this tablet at the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.
With abundant bison herds and control over the
valuable pipestone quarries 52 miles to the north,
Blood Run/Good Earth was well positioned to
become a trading center. Hides and scapula hoes from
bison were two important products for trade. Pieces
of pipestone large and small indicate the villagers
processed slabs of the stone into finished products
here. This pipestone could be made into tablets,
pipes, and jewelry. In exchange for their goods, the
residents received marine shells, copper, obsidian,
European glass beads, and flint, among other items.
As regional peoples gathered to trade, they naturally
exchanged their knowledge, technical skills, stories,
songs, and culture.
Travel Corridors
The Big Sioux River eased travel to and
from Blood Run/Good Earth. Some visitors
may have used canoes or bull boats to get
here. Others may have used the river valley
for foot travel, knowing that the Big Sioux
would always be a source of water and food.
Captions: This bead was one of the European-manufactured goods found at Blood
Run and arrived through trade
between indigenous peoples. Fur
traders and explorers may have
heard of the villages but there is no
evidence they visited here.
In the 1930s while working on his
nearby farm, Even Evenson
Click or scan to see this page online
found
this pipestone tablet in a post hole.
The tablet contains several layers of
etched drawings and may have been
used for storytelling or ceremonial
purposes. You can see this tablet at
the Center for Western Studies at
Augustana University in Sioux Falls.
Erected by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks.
Location. 43° 28.655′ N, 96° 35.268′ W. Marker is near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Lincoln County. Marker can be reached from 480th Avenue (County Highway 135) ¼ mile south of 269th Street (County Highway 102), on the left when traveling south. Located at an overlook on the Vista Loop Trail in Good Earth State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26924 480th Avenue, Sioux Falls SD 57108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Looking Into the Past (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bow Hunting (approx. ¼ mile away); 1714 (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1870s (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sacred Images (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1600s (approx. 0.3 miles
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2022, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2022, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.