Washington Township near White Lake in Aurora County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Stratosphere Balloon Landing

September 13, 2026

1. Stratosphere Balloon Landing Marker, Side One

Inscription. On Nov. 11, 1935, the National Geographic Society and the Army Air Corps attempted a second manned balloon flight launch from the Black Hills. Captains Orvil Anderson and Albert Stevens ascended a record 72,395 feet above sea level in "Explorer II." After 230 miles and 8.5 hours, they landed in a field nearby with instruments intact and a wealth of new scientific data.

Erected 2026 by the Aurora County Historical Society. (Marker Number 337.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1935.

Location. 43° 32.564′ N, 98° 44.078′ W. Marker is near White Lake, South Dakota, in Aurora County. It is in Washington Township. It is at the intersection of 265th Street (County Road 60) and 373rd Avenue, on the right when traveling west on 265th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White Lake SD 57383, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River

and specifically in the James River Valley.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

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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 3 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Platte Community Veterans Memorial (approx. 11.9 miles away); Purple Heart Memorial Highway (approx. 13 miles away); White Lake Memorial Plaza (approx. 13 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Stratosphere Balloon Landing (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . The Stratobowl Flights of the 1930s - SDPB. (Submitted on October 9, 2026.)

Stratosphere Balloon Landing Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

September 13, 2026

2. Stratosphere Balloon Landing Marker, Side Two

Explorer II, November 11, 1935
Graphic by Liz Almlie, June 2025.

-[ The balloon and gondola
☆ Take-off location at the Stratosphere Bowl, southwest of Rapid City
★ Landing location, south of White Lake

Stratosphere Balloon Landing Marker image. Click for full size.

September 13, 2026

3. Stratosphere Balloon Landing Marker

September 13, 2026

4. Stratosphere Balloon Landing Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2026. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 9, 2026.