Near Pierre in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Ancient Indian Fortress

April 2, 2023

1. Ancient Indian Fortress Marker

Inscription. On the Bluff, a quarter of a mile North, ancient Indians, pre-dating the Aricara, built a fortress or strong point, involving an exterior perimeter of over 2,000 yards, enclosing about 50 acres, and with bastions, at intervals all along its palisaded wall, to provide enfilading arrow fire along its walls. In front of this was a deep dry moat.

Within these palisades were many square or oblong type Indian houses. A valley in its center contained an abundance of water. Five thousand people could have been sheltered within its walls and it would have taken not less than 300 resolute warriors to defend it.

Archaeologists date it back to the time of Columbus or earlier and the probability of the influence of white military design appears remote. The bastion and enfilading fire are white inventions but apparently the Red man also had his military genius and this great fortress is one of the marvels of pre-historic America. These bastions, watch guard fire points, moats are still to be seen.

Cars should be left at the foot of the bluff.

Erected 1955 by the Miller Studio, Pierre and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 83.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology

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• Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list.

Location. 44° 20.208′ N, 100° 12.577′ W. Marker is near Pierre, South Dakota, in Hughes County. It is on State Highway 34 at milepost 217, 2 miles west of Nystrom Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pierre SD 57501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Boy Scout Cabin (approx. 2.6 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) (approx. 2.7 miles away); CCC Camp S - 207, Farm Island, 1933 - 37 (approx. 2.7 miles away); Much Was Accomplished (approx. 3.2 miles away); Farm Island Causeway (approx. 3.2 miles away); Missouri River Valley Archaeology (approx. 3.2 miles away); Site of Old Fort Sully (approx. 3.2 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierre.

Ancient Indian Fortress Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.

April 2, 2023

2. Ancient Indian Fortress Marker, from the east

Ancient Indian Fortress Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

April 2, 2023

3. Ancient Indian Fortress Marker, from the west

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2023. This page has been viewed 1,229 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2023.