Near Chamberlain in Brule County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Sojourn at Camp Pleasant
Lewis & Clark Expedition
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 12, 2016
1. Lewis & Clark Expedition Marker
Inscription.
Sojourn at Camp Pleasant. Lewis and Clark Expedition. When the Corps of Discovery reached present-day Chamberlain on September 16, 1804, they were ready for a break. Since May, one member of the expedition, Sergeant Charles Floyd, had died, possibly of appendicitis. Another, Private George Shannon, had nearly starved to death after being lost for more than two weeks. The expedition had had its first meeting with Yankton Sioux. They’d also had the privilege of seeing things few U.S. citizens had ever seen: huge herds of buffalo, swift pronghorn, sprawling prairies and river bluffs that appeared to be on fire. The party set up camp at a site they called Camp Pleasant and rested.
What’s for supper? , After a long day of fighting the current and maneuvering around sandbars, expedition members worked up an appetite. In fact, each man ate about nine pounds of meat – usually elk or deer – per day. Fish provided another source of food. The men also ate grapes, plumbs and other wild fruits they were able to gather on shore.
When the Corps of Discovery reached present-day Chamberlain on September 16, 1804, they were ready for a break. Since May, one member of the expedition, Sergeant Charles Floyd, had died, possibly of appendicitis. Another, Private George Shannon, had nearly starved to death after being lost for more than two weeks. The expedition had had its first meeting with Yankton Sioux. They’d also had the privilege of seeing things few U.S. citizens had ever seen: huge herds of buffalo, swift pronghorn, sprawling prairies and river bluffs that appeared to be on fire. The party set up camp at a site they called Camp Pleasant and rested.
What’s for supper?
After a long day of fighting the current and maneuvering around sandbars, expedition members worked up an appetite. In fact, each man ate about nine pounds of meat – usually elk or deer – per day. Fish provided another source of food. The men also ate grapes, plumbs and other wild fruits they were able to gather on shore.
Erected by National Park Service South Dakota Arts Council South Dakota Department of Tourism South Dakota Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 114.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration
Location. 43° 47.181′ N, 99° 20.333′ W. Marker is near Chamberlain, South Dakota, in Brule County. Marker is on Interstate 90 at milepost 264. Marker is at the parking lot of the rest area/overlook. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chamberlain SD 57325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Marker, as seen from the parking lot. Rest Area buildings, with the Missouri River across the background
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.