Near Selby in Walworth County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
You are now on the 100° Meridian
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, June 6, 2011
1. You are now on the 100 Meridian Marker
Inscription.
You are now on the 100° Meridian. . Historically that meridian is significant. For two generations the Insurance Companies and other worldwide lending agencies would not, as a matter of agreed policy, lend a shiny dime west of this line. There reason was that some geographer had labeled it the EAST EDGE of the Great American Desert. Neither the geographer nor the Insurance Companies had been west of 100°. Today, more that a quarter of America's new animal wealth alone, is produced from that misnamed desert. This unrealistic, geographically limited loan policy, forced South Dakota into the farm loan business. Our Rural Credit Business cost us plenty and was a splendid illustration of why a State should not be in the loaning business. But South Dakota has paid all its debts in full. The 100th Meridian is just another bad memory. Historically however, the 100° Meridian was a most important one in Western economy.
Historically that meridian is significant. For two generations the Insurance Companies and other worldwide lending agencies would not, as a matter of agreed policy, lend a shiny dime west of this line. There reason was that some geographer had labeled it the EAST EDGE of the Great American Desert. Neither the geographer nor the Insurance Companies had been west of 100°. Today, more that a quarter of America's new animal wealth alone, is produced from that misnamed desert. This unrealistic, geographically limited loan policy, forced South Dakota into the farm loan business. Our Rural Credit Business cost us plenty and was a splendid illustration of why a State should not be in the loaning business. But South Dakota has paid all its debts in full. The 100th Meridian is just another bad memory. Historically however, the 100° Meridian was a most important one in Western economy.
Erected 1956 by The First National Bank of Selby and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 55.)
0′ W. Marker is near Selby, South Dakota, in Walworth County. Marker is on 134th Street (U.S. 12) close to 309th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Selby SD 57472, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on July 16, 2021. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
