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

Flags of Elk Point

Ponca Tribal Flag Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

1. Ponca Tribal Flag Marker

Inscription.
Ponca Tribal Flag
Native American hunters, farmers, and fishers who occupied this region prior to European exploration.

Yankton Tribal Flag
The Yankhtoni or "People of the end Village" settled in this area as early as 1730 after migrating from the Minnesota region.

Kingdom of France Flag, 1682
Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, claimed the entire Mississippi watershed for France and named it the Louisiana Territory for King Louis XIV in 1682.

Kingdom of Spain Flag, 1762
IN 1762 King Louis XV gave King Charles III of Spain all the land west of the Mississippi to avoid British claims expected from the French & Indian War in America.

Republic of France Flag, 1801
In 1801, at the insistence of Napolean Bonaparte, Spain returned the Louisiana Territory to France through the Treaty of San Ildefonso.

United States Flag, 1803
In 1803 the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars. The 15 stars and stripes represent the original 13 states plus Vermont and Kentucky. Tennessee and Ohio also achieved statehood by 1803.

Lewis & Clark Expedition Flag, 1804
Historical

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interpretation of the flag flown from the keelboat of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804, adapted from the rough journal sketches of Captain Clark.

Elk Point Flag
On August 22, 1804, the Lewis & Clark Expedition passed a "point of Sand on the starboard side" and made camp where a "Great deel of Elk Sign" was noted. The town of Elk Point was founded in 1859.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is August 22, 1804.

Location. 42° 40.979′ N, 96° 41.616′ 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 by 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 Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western

Yankton Tribal Flag Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

2. Yankton Tribal Flag Marker

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: Patrick Gass (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Entering an Uncertain Land (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Land of Plenty (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Democracy Cross the Mississippi River (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis & Clark Campsite / Eli Wixson Farm Site (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elk Point (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elk Point.

Other markers no longer nearby. Entering an Uncertain Land (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Land of Plenty (was within shouting distance

Kingdom of France Flag, 1682 Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

3. Kingdom of France Flag, 1682 Marker

of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); U.S. Democracy Crosses the Mississippi River (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Kingdom of Spain Flag, 1762 Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

4. Kingdom of Spain Flag, 1762 Marker

Republic of France Flag, 1801 Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

5. Republic of France Flag, 1801 Marker

United States Flag, 1803 Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

6. United States Flag, 1803 Marker

Lewis & Clark Expedition Flag, 1804 Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

7. Lewis & Clark Expedition Flag, 1804 Marker

Elk Point Flag Marker image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

8. Elk Point Flag Marker

Flags of Elk Point & Markers image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

9. Flags of Elk Point & Markers

September 26, 2026

10. Flags of Elk Point & Markers

Sponsors: Duane "Ole" Olsen · Warren and Elaine Lashley · First Federal Bank · SD Department of Tourism · Union Co. Historical Society · Houston Haugo Family Valley Bank Fund · Siouxland Heritage Foundation · Department of Transportation · Jim and Judy Cody Cody's Homestead · Bill and Julia Curry Curry Seed · Dan Whitlock DRW Drafting & Design · Mount Monument Sales · Ludey's Ready Mix · Roy & Mayor Isabel Trobaugh · Community Pride · Lewis & Clark Heritage Days Committee · Darin Harris · Elk Point Garden Club · Donald Lane · City of Elk Point · National Park Service David Thomson · Bruce Odsen · Kelly Kruithoff

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2026. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on November 2, 2026.