Yankton in Yankton County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Meeting the Yankton Sioux

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 18, 2025

1. Meeting the Yankton Sioux Marker

Inscription. On August 27, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition set up its camp for four days downstream from Calumet Bluff. The explorers came across three American Indian boys who told them of a large Yankton Sioux camp nearby. Knowing that President Jefferson wanted them to establish good relations with Indians, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark held a grand meeting and feast with the Yanktons upstream at Calumet Bluff on August 30-31. They explained the expedition's exploratory purposes and Jefferson's desires for peace. Chiefs Shake Hand and Half Man spoke of the tribe's need for reliable trade. Having establish contact with the Siouan people at Calumet Bluff the Corps of Discovery resumed its trek west.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is August 27, 1804.

Location. 42° 52.06′ N, 97° 31.288′ W. Marker is in Yankton, South Dakota, in Yankton County. It can be reached from State Highway 52 near Knits Avenue, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area Welcom Center.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48834 Hwy 52, Yankton SD 57078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Yankton Sioux Tribe

and 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Lewis & Clark Expedition (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Lewis & Clark Expedition (approx. 2.6 miles away in Nebraska); Up the Missouri (approx. 2.6 miles away in Nebraska); Council at Calumet (approx. 2.6 miles away in Nebraska); Gavins Point Dam and Powerplant (approx. 2.6 miles away in Nebraska); The Unmarked and Unknown (approx. 4.7 miles away); Pierre Dorion, Sr. (approx. 6.1 miles away); West Wall / Yankton Stockade (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Meeting the Yankton Sioux Marker (map insert) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 17, 2025

2. Meeting the Yankton Sioux Marker (map insert)

August 26-September 3, 1804
Lewis and Clark marked "Calumet Bluff" - named after the French word for a ceremonial Indian pipe - on their 1804 map. Today, Gavins Point Dam is anchored in a remnant of Calumet Bluff.

of all markers in Yankton.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 18, 2025

3. Meeting the Yankton Sioux Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 7, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.