McCook Lake near North Sioux City in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Welcome to the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

September 26, 2026

1. Welcome to the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Marker

Inscription. Stephen Searls and Hannah Goodell Adams left the eastern United States in 1872 and came to Dakota Territory in search of a new way of life. Through the Homestead Act, Stephen purchased Civil War soldiers' homesteading rights and settled on this fertile tract of farmland along the Missouri River.

More than 120 years later, in 1984, their granddaughters, Mary and Maud Adams, donated the homestead to the people of South Dakota. They envisioned "a place for inner renewal," where everyone could learn about the natural world around them and our state's prairie past.

What will you discover on site?

Three generations of one South Dakota family called this place home.

Sonny, Mary and Maud Adams, 1930s
Photo courtesy of Adams Family?

Explore on foot or bring your bike—recreation awaits!
Photo courtesy of Todd Wheelock

The preserve is a haven for birds and other wildlife. Keep your eyes open as you explore the trails.
Photos courtesy of Todd Wheelock

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 42° 32.346′ N,

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96° 31.676′ W. Marker is near North Sioux City, South Dakota, in Union County. It is in McCook Lake. It can be reached from Westshore Drive 0.2 miles south of Izaak Walton Drive. Located in Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 272 Westshore Dr, North Sioux City SD 57049, 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 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: Lewis and Clark / North Sioux City (approx. 1.6 miles away); North Sioux City Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); You Are Entering South Dakota (approx. 2.6 miles away); Native Peoples of the Loess (approx. 3 miles away in Iowa); From Settlement to State Park

September 26, 2026

2. Welcome to the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Marker

The Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve visitor center can be seen in the background.

(approx. 3 miles away in Iowa); Geology Wonders (approx. 3 miles away in Iowa); An American Treasure (approx. 3 miles away in Iowa); Prairies in the Hills (approx. 3.2 miles away in Iowa). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Sioux City.

Adjacent Marker, Plan Your Adventure image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

3. Adjacent Marker, Plan Your Adventure

Adjacent Marker, Explore Enjoy Slow Down and Reflect image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

4. Adjacent Marker, Explore Enjoy Slow Down and Reflect

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