Rapid City in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Local Lakota: Osh Kosh Camp
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. Local Lakota: Osh Kosh Camp Marker
The Native American community in Rapid City has a rich, dynamic history. It extends thousands of years into the past and is an important part of our daily lives, where Native peoples are enmeshed in all aspects of our vibrant community.
To the north you can see Founder's Park at the base of "M" Hill. This was the site of the Osh Kosh Camp, a traditional Lakota settlement. Native families still lived along the banks of Rapid Creek in this area until the 1950s when the camp was destroyed and those families were forced out of the convenient downtown area. The City moved them to outer areas like the Sioux Addition miles away, where there was no water, sanitation, or easy access to basic services until the 1970s.
Beverly Stabber Warne, Oglala Lakota Elder:
Interviewed May 19, 2023
My father had served in the Navy during World War Two. When he came home there were no jobs on the reservation in Pine Ridge. They must have heard that there was a possibility of jobs in Rapid City, and they must have heard that people will not rent to Indians. And so when my folks moved to Rapid they brought our own tent, and we
this page online
What I'm saying is perspective from a child. It was a beautiful place to be. We were all in the same category of poverty and discomfort from the weather and hunger, but as children we were living in a place where there was nothing but us. Us meaning our cultural group.
You know, we were having fun. I don't know where we got inner tubes, but we'd get in the water and go float down Rapid Creek. The adults had identified where the line was for us to get out of the water and walk back up. That must have been past one of the bridges that may have been some danger for whatever reason, or maybe it was just far enough to walk back.
I always tell the story of us playing. You know how children forget the time and just keep playing. So it was getting dark or late in the day and the adults around you would begin to tell you to go home. The adults looked out
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. Local Lakota: Osh Kosh Camp Marker
[Photo captions read]
1 Oshkosh Camp in 1953, just prior to its destruction.
2 Camp in Rapid City
3 Camp at base of hills in Rapid City.
Erected by City of Rapid City.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. 44° 4.703′ N, 103° 14.76′ W. Marker is in Rapid City, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker is in Dinosaur Park, along the walking path. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 940 Skyline Drive, Rapid City SD 57701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West River and in the Badlands. It is also in the American Black Hills, in the 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 walking distance of this marker: The Great Race/Black Hills Geology (a few steps from this marker); Hangman's Hill (a few steps from this marker); The Inconvenient Truth (a few steps from this marker); Triceratops (a few steps from this marker); Tyrannosaurus Rex (a few steps from this marker); Apatosaurus (within shouting distance of this marker); Stegosaurus (within shouting distance of this marker); Trachodon (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rapid City.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
