Near Philip in Haakon County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Typical Sod House Homesteader

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 6, 2011

1. Typical Sod House Homesteader Marker

Inscription. Edgar I. Brown, born in 1854, came here with wife, Alice, and son, Charles, to homestead in the Badlands when he was 55. Their first and only home was a side hill, sod wall, dirt roofed house. About it they built up a humble homestead. Intact today, it is a classic example of the frugal but satisfactory life of the men who built the West. It should interest every American.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 43° 49.28′ N, 101° 54.004′ W. Marker is near Philip, South Dakota, in Haakon County. It is on State Highway 240 1.3 miles south of Interstate 90, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philip SD 57567, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Rosebud Sioux Tribe

and in West River.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally,

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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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Civilian Conservation Corps Camps (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Badlands Wall (approx. 2½ miles away); The Big Badlands (approx. 2½ miles away); Anatomy of a Badland (approx. 4.1 miles away); Mako sica (approx. 4.1 miles away); Invisible Warriors (approx. 4.9 miles away); Badlands Oasis (approx. 5 miles away); A Slump And A Bump (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philip.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Closer than You Imagined (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 6, 2011

2. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 6, 2011

3. Typical Sod House Homesteader Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,092 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 17, 2026.