Near Vermillion in Clay County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lewis and Clark Visit Spirit Mound

August 25, 1804

Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, April 1, 2009

1. Lewis and Clark Visit Spirit Mound Marker

Inscription. On the hot day of August 25, 1804, captains Lewis and Clark and several of their men walked from the river to explore Spirit Mound. They had heard that little people with deadly arrows inhabited the mound. Although they did not find little people, they saw their big herds of buffalo as well as elk, burrows of either badgers or "Prairie Wolves" (coyotes), meadowlarks, swallows, and the first bat they had seen on the expedition. Suffering from heat and thirst, they walked back to the river.

"From the top of this Mound we beheld a most beautiful landscape; Numerous herds of buffaloes were seen feeding in various directions." Wm. Clark

"25th Augt George Shannon Killed an Elk Buck" Wm. Clark

Paintings by Ron Backer

Erected by The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation played key roles in restoring the site. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks manages the Spirit Mount Historic Prairie.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 42° 52.051′ N, 96° 57.362′

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W. Marker is near Vermillion, South Dakota, in Clay County. Marker is on State Highway 19, 0.1 miles north of 312th Street, on the left when traveling north. The sign is one of several at a small asphalt pull-off loop road with a sign stating "Welcome to Spirit Mound Historic Prairie". Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vermillion SD 57069, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lewis and Clark Were Here...and Here... (here, next to this marker); Spirit Mound (a few steps from this marker); From Lewis and Clark to the Future (a few steps from this marker); Hill of Little Spirits (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spirit Mound Monument (about 600 feet away); Daughters of the American Revolution Spirit Mound Monument (about 600 feet away); Canotina Paha | Mountain of Little People (about 800 feet away); Hill of Chalk (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vermillion.

More about this marker. This is one side of a 3-sided informational sign at the park.

Welcome to Spirit Mound Historic Prairie entrance sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, April 1, 2009

2. Welcome to Spirit Mound Historic Prairie entrance sign

South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, & Parks

Lewis and Clark Visit Spirit Mound Marker <i>(left side)</i> image. Click for full size.

April 15, 2023

3. Lewis and Clark Visit Spirit Mound Marker (left side)

Spirit Mound can be seen in the background.

Spirit Mound in the distance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, April 1, 2009

4. Spirit Mound in the distance

Hiking trail to Spirit Mound image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, April 1, 2009

5. Hiking trail to Spirit Mound

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2011, by Rich Pfingsten of Forest Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,121 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on March 30, 2022, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 14, 2011, by Rich Pfingsten of Forest Hill, Maryland. 3. submitted on May 4, 2023. 4, 5. submitted on January 14, 2011, by Rich Pfingsten of Forest Hill, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.