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

Grasshopper Cross

By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016

1. Grasshopper Cross Marker

Inscription. The Huge wooden cross in the cemetery, replaced the rude one erected on that day in May, 1876, when Father Pierre Boucher led his pilgrimage of Catholic & Protestant marchers back to Jefferson, after an eleven mile trek seeking Divine Intervention in the grasshopper plague. It was the third cross erected that miraculous day. The grasshoppers left.

Grasshopper Cross Dedication Plaque
Replica of the Original Grasshopper Cross May 1876 Donor Alex Chicoine Jr. 1967

Erected 1966 by Regina Bernard in Memory of her father, Pierre U. Bernard and South Dakota State Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Disasters • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 42° 36.225′ N, 96° 33.608′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, South Dakota, in Union County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 Main Street, Jefferson SD 57038, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Peter's Church (a few steps

St. Peter's Church showing Grasshopper Cross and Marker image. Click for full size.

By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 22, 2016

2. St. Peter's Church showing Grasshopper Cross and Marker

from this marker); From Settlement to State Park (approx. 5.4 miles away in Iowa); Geology Wonders (approx. 5.4 miles away in Iowa); Native Peoples of the Loess (approx. 5.4 miles away in Iowa); Elk Point (approx. 8.6 miles away); Lewis & Clark Campsite / Eli Wixson Farm Site (approx. 8.7 miles away); Return to "Elk Sign" Campsite (approx. 8.7 miles away); Entering an Uncertain Land (approx. 8.7 miles away).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Grasshopper Cross image. Click for full size.

By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016

3. Grasshopper Cross

Grasshopper Cross Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016

4. Grasshopper Cross Dedication Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 28, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.