Near Chamberlain in Brule County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Sojourn at Camp Pleasant

Lewis & Clark Expedition

By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 12, 2016

1. Lewis & Clark Expedition Marker

Inscription. 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.)

Marker series. This marker is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition marker series.

Location.

By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 12, 2016

2. Lewis & Clark Expedition Marker

Marker, as seen from the parking lot. Rest Area buildings, with the Missouri River across the background

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. Touch for map. Marker is at the parking lot of the rest area/overlook. Marker is in this post office area: Chamberlain SD 57325, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Purple Heart Memorial Highway (a few steps from this marker); Dignity (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis and Clark Bicentennial 1804-2004 (about 300 feet away); Missouri River Bridges of South Dakota (about 300 feet away); Lewis & Clark Memorial Bridge at Chamberlain (about 300 feet away); American Island (approx. 2 miles away).

Additional keywords. Lewis & Clark Expedition

Categories. • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels •

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 27, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 29 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.