Elk Point in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

A Land of Plenty

Elk Point, South Dakota

— Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail —

A Land of Plenty Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

1. A Land of Plenty Marker

Inscription. Beginning their journey on a diet of salt, pork, lard, flour, and ground corn, Lewis, Clark, and the other members of the Corps of Discovery went on to taste nearly everything the West had to offer through necessity rather than choice. Wrestling their keelboat and progressing up the Missouri River required tremendous physical effort- costing up to nine pounds of meat per soldier to maintain their strength. Hunting became an important duty for survival. Here in the short grass prairie of the High Plains, the abundance of buffalo, elk, deer, and wild fruit led William Clark to call this region the "Land of Plenty."

American Elk
White-tailed Deer
The expedition killed its first buffalo (American bison) nearby on August 23, 1804. The party also found an abundance of elk and white-tailed deer in this region. All illustrations by Linda Scarmon - 2001

"I walked on Shore & Killed a fat Buck. J. Fields. . . informed that he had Killed a Buffalow in the plain a head. . . Elk Swam the river, and was fired at from the boat. R. Fields came up with the Horses and brought two Deer one Deer Killed from the Boat."
William Clark,

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August 23, 1804

Wild Fruit
The Corps of Discovery entered what is today South Dakota at a time when the wild fruit was ripening. Black raspberries, black currants, and wild plums soon became an important addition to the expedition's diet.

Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)
Black Currant (Ribes americanum)
Wild Plum (Prunus americana)

Erected by Lewis and Clark Trail Stewardship Endowment.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 23, 1804.

Location. 42° 40.997′ N, 96° 41.609′ W. Marker is in Elk Point, South Dakota, in Union County. It can be reached from South Harrison Street ¼ mile south of West Jefferson Street. Located at the Lewis and Clark Wayside Exhibit in Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elk Point SD 57025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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

Lewis and Clark's Campsite in Elk Point image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

2. Lewis and Clark's Campsite in Elk Point

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: U.S. Democracy Cross the Mississippi River (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Entering an Uncertain Land (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (here, next to this marker); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (here, next to this marker); Patrick Gass (here, next to this marker); Flags of Elk Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis & Clark Campsite / Eli Wixson Farm Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elk Point (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elk Point.

Other markers no longer nearby. A Land of Plenty (has been replaced with this marker); U.S. Democracy Crosses the Mississippi River (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Entering an Uncertain Land

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(was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (was here, next to 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.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2026. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2026.