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

Lewis & Clark Trail

Griffin Park

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

1. Lewis & Clark Trail Marker

Inscription. Welcome to Griffin Park! Griffin Park is located next to the Great Missouri, on which Meriwether Lewis and William Clark traveled during their Journey to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis and Clark's travels through this area have been considered as one of the most pivotal moments in the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It was just across the river where the expedition met with the Teton Sioux and conflict arose. With no interpreter on either side, tensions strained from the lack of communication, leading to several misunderstandings over the intent of the expedition. After several days of intense meetings with the Tetons and a few confrontations, the corps finally continued upriver.

The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail spans 26 miles between the Oahe Dam in Stanley County and Farm Island Recreation Area in Hughes County.

On May 21 of 1804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led “The Corps of Discovery” on an adventure that would map a new route from St. Louis to the Pacific. The two year journey took Lewis and Clark some 8000 miles through the Upper Midwest and Northwest United States passing through this area. Lewis and Clark's expedition to the Pacific Ocean laid the groundwork for westward expansion in the United States.

Erected by City of Pierre, Parks

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

& Recreation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1804.

Location. 44° 21.537′ N, 100° 20.781′ W. Marker is in Pierre, South Dakota, in Hughes County. Marker can be reached from Parkwood Drive, 0.2 miles south of East Dakota Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Griffin Park, on the Lewis & Clark Trail, along the north edge of the Missouri River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 South Washington Avenue, Pierre SD 57501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Phil Trautner (approx. 0.2 miles away); Coe Crawford, 6th Governor of South Dakota (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grand Army of the Republic (approx. 0.4 miles away); Civil War Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Civil War Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Exploring the Lewis & Clark Trail (approx. half a mile away); Fighting Stallions Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Soldiers' & Sailors' World War Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierre.

More about this marker. Marker is

Lewis & Clark Trail Marker (<i>wide view; looking southwest across Missouri River</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

2. Lewis & Clark Trail Marker (wide view; looking southwest across Missouri River)

a large composite plaque, mounted within a sturdy wooden, "kiosk-style" frame. This marker is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition marker series.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Lewis and Clark Meet the Teton Sioux Indians

Also see . . . Lewis & Clark and the Teton Sioux Indians. At the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Teton Sioux occupied two villages near present-day Pierre, South Dakota. One village was located on the Missouri River itself, while the other was situated off a tributary, the Bad River. Among French and Canadian traders, as well as other neighboring tribes, the Tetons were known for aggressiveness and power. At the first council with the leaders of the Teton tribe, the expedition went through its practiced ritual for meeting Indians, parading in uniform and demonstrating an air gun. The display did little to impress the Tetons, who perceived the Americans as competitors for control of trade in the region. Tensions increased between the two sides, nearly resulting in an armed conflict. A number of confrontations between the Tetons and the expedition brought the Americans visit to an end. No one in the Corps of Discovery spoke Sioux, and the inability of the two groups to communicate effectively played a significant part in several misunderstandings. After another argument between the Tetons and the expedition

Lewis & Clark Trail Sign (<i>located near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

3. Lewis & Clark Trail Sign (located near marker)

nearly escalated into fighting, Lewis and Clark continued upriver. (Submitted on October 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Missouri River (<i>view north along river from near the marker; La Framboise Island to left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

4. Missouri River (view north along river from near the marker; La Framboise Island to left)

Lewis & Clark Trail & Missouri River (<i>view north from marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

5. Lewis & Clark Trail & Missouri River (view north from marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on October 14, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.