North Sioux City in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Lewis and Clark
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North Sioux City
| — | Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail | — |
September 26, 2026
1. Lewis and Clark side of marker
Lewis and Clark
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, officially the Corps of Discovery, was in what is now South Dakota from August 21 to October 14, 1804 and from August 21 to September 4, 1806.
While here they would make numerous discoveries of animals, plants, birds and fish previously unknown to science. Among these would be the pronghorn antelope, which they called goats, and the prairie dog, which they called barking squirrels. Other new discoveries in South Dakota included the mule deer, coyote, great gray wolf, prairie rattlesnake, the northern jack rabbit, and a different kind of porcupine.
They also found the black billed magpie, which until then had been thought to exist only in Europe.
Here they would meet with a number of Indian tribes, handing out gifts and making speeches about the great white father in Washington. Although there were a few tense moments, there were no battles with the tribes they encountered in present-day South Dakota.
North Sioux City
Near mid-day on August 21, 1804, the party passed the mouth of the Big Sioux River (then the Great Sioux River, which Clark calls the Soues
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Clark observes the "Clouds appear to rise in the West & threten wind." He proved correct, and the party was soon enveloped in clouds of sand, which he describes as covering every leaf and blade of grass with a fine coating.
Nearby, the party discovers a bluff containing alum, copper, cobalt, and pyrites. The copper and cobalt had been absorbed by the river waters and most of the party became ill from drinking the contaminated water.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is August 21, 1804.
Location. 42° 31.47′ N, 96° 30.143′ W. Marker is in North Sioux City, South Dakota, in Union County. It is at the intersection of South Sodrac Drive and River Drive, on the right when traveling south on South Sodrac Drive. Touch for map.
September 26, 2026
2. North Sioux City side of marker
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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: North Sioux City Area Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); You Are Entering South Dakota (approx. 1.1 miles away); Welcome to the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve (approx. 1.6 miles away); Veterans' Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); An American Treasure (approx. 2˝ miles away in Iowa); Native Peoples of the Loess (approx. 2.6 miles away in Iowa); From Settlement to State Park (approx. 2.6 miles away in Iowa); Geology Wonders (approx. 2.6 miles away in Iowa). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Sioux City.
September 26, 2026
3. Lewis and Clark / North Sioux City Marker
September 26, 2026
4. Lewis and Clark / North Sioux City Marker, from the north
September 26, 2026
5. Lewis and Clark / North Sioux City Marker, from the west
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2026. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 3, 2026.
