Near Island Drive, 0.3 miles south of U.S. 83, on the right when traveling north.
The fur trade worked thanks to American Indians. They harvested buffalo and other furbearers and bartered them to white traders. For a time, this system benefited both the traders and American Indians.
Traders relied on the American Indians to . . . — — Map (db m124253) HM
On Deadwood Street at Main Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Deadwood Street.
Andy's Meat Market at 102 N. Deadwood was built in 1907 by Andy Ricketts. Andy Ricketts' mother Louisa Ricketts was the original owner of the lot. Widowed during the Civil War, she had come to South Dakota in 1878 and was the owner of a . . . — — Map (db m224402) HM
Near Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Highway 1806 when traveling east.
Archaeology is the study of past human cultures. It teaches us about past events and ways of life. Archaeology also reveals how people lived day-to-day and how they dealt with changes in their environment.
Excavation - the exposure, . . . — — Map (db m124484) HM
Near Marina Loop Road, 0.5 miles east of Power House Road, on the right when traveling west.
Archeologists can use stone points and pottery to help discover clues about who lived where and when. Paleoindian hunters used different styles of stone points at different times in the prehistoric era. The type of points hunters used depended on . . . — — Map (db m246425) HM
On Yellowstone Street at Stanley Road, on the right when traveling north on Yellowstone Street.
Bad Humored Island
"Four Indians, two chiefs and two principle men joined us. We proceeded on about one mile (up river from the mouth of the Teton (Bad) River) and anchored off the shore of a willow island. Placed a guard on shore to . . . — — Map (db m246412) HM
On Native American Scenic Byway (U.S. 83) 0.1 miles south of 5th Avenue.
Riding this bronc is 9-Time World Champion Casey Tibbs of Fort Pierre. Born in 1929, 50 miles northwest of Fort Pierre, Casey was the youngest of ten children. He began riding horses as a toddler and later broke horses on his five-mile journey to . . . — — Map (db m187063) HM
Near South Dakota Route 1806 at South Dakota Route 204.
Here, you are halfway from the mouth of the source of the Missouri. Here was the centre of the Fur Trade for half a century, with eight different fur posts and two military posts within your vision. (See Map on reverse). This was, before white man . . . — — Map (db m190170) HM
Near Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Highway 1806 when traveling east.
The fur trade brought American Indian and European American cultures together. Fort Pierre Chouteau, built here by the American Fur Company (A.F.C.) in 1832, provided a place for trade. Sioux hunters brought furs and buffalo hides. They shared . . . — — Map (db m124357) HM
On Native American Scenic Byway (U.S. 83) at 3rd Avenue on Native American Scenic Byway.
At the mouth of the Bad River, in today's Fischers Lilly Park, Lewis and Clark had their long-awaited first meeting with the Lakota people known to them as the Teton Sioux. As the Lakota controlled this stretch of the waterway, Jefferson and his . . . — — Map (db m187077) HM
On Native American Scenic Byway (Highway 83) 0.1 miles south of 5th Avenue.
The oldest continuous white settlement in the area of South Dakota.
First visited by Verendrye, who took over for France by planting a lead plate on March 31, 1743. A monument marks the spot. It is over the R.R. track first street to right, . . . — — Map (db m187074) HM
Near Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Route 1806.
This tablet marks the site and
commemorates the institution of
Fort Pierre Choteau Trading Post
chief landmark of fur-trading period, 1822 – 1864
on the Upper Missouri River between
the Platte and the Yellowstone.
Founded, 1832, . . . — — Map (db m177392) HM
On Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Highway 1806, on the left when traveling east.
The 1803 Louisiana Purchase expanded the United States westward. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and The Corps of Discovery explored the nation's vast new territory on their 1804-1806 journeys. They found an abundance of beaver, buffalo, and . . . — — Map (db m124297) HM
On Benjamin Street at Fort Chauteau Road on Benjamin Street.
Commissioned by Pierre Chouteau of the American Fur Company, the Yellow Stone was the first steamboat to ply the "upper" Missouri River above Council Bluffs, Iowa. Loaded with a variety of trade goods - including generous stocks of gunpowder, beads, . . . — — Map (db m170483) HM
Near Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Highway 1806.
Fort Pierre Chouteau Site
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance
in commemorating the History of the
United states of America 1991
National Park Service
United States . . . — — Map (db m124528) HM
Near Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Highway 1806.
The American Fur Company (A.F.C.), John Jacob Astor's enterprise, built Fort Pierre Chouteau in 1832. The fort was named for Pierre Chouteau, Jr., who ran the Western Department of the A.F.C. from St. Louis. The Upper Missouri proved profitable for . . . — — Map (db m124299) HM
Near Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Highway 1806 when traveling east.
Fort Pierre Chouteau's two-year stint as a military fort started in 1855. The Black Hills Gold Rush brought white travelers into lands occupied by American Indians, increasing tensions. The U.S. Army set up forts to protect travelers. Fort Pierre . . . — — Map (db m124435) HM
On Native American Scenic Byway (Highway 83) at East 4th Avenue on Native American Scenic Byway.
In 1880, the Chicago & North Western (C&NW) Railroad completed laying tracks from Tracy, Minnesota, to Pierre, South Dakota, part of the settling of the Dakota Territory. In 1906, a C&NW subsidiary, the Pierre, Rapid City and North Western . . . — — Map (db m187067) HM
On Native American Scenic Byway (U.S. 83) 0.1 miles south of 5th Avenue.
For half a century the area near the Mouth of Bad River was one of America's Fur Capitals. There were ten fur posts here over the years in 1805 Lewis & Clark's reports of the richness of the fur trade on the Missouri was causing a turmoil and in . . . — — Map (db m187065) HM
Near Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Highway 1806.
Fur companies made money by bartering trade goods to American Indians and white trappers for furs. The furs were shipped east and sold to make hats and coats. The fur trading posts were near the fur-bearing animals they depended on. They were . . . — — Map (db m124298) HM
On U.S. 14 east of Boomer Street, on the right when traveling west.
Up the canyon on U.S. 14 to the west, the Ft. Pierre-Deadwood Trail of 1876-86, the main artery of commerce to the "gold diggins” of the Black Hills had its course. Untold thousands of patient oxen pulled millions of tons of freight over that . . . — — Map (db m177390) HM
On an unnamed road, 0.3 miles east of Power House Road, on the right when traveling east.
Honored Guests
Lewis and Clark were taken to the Teton (Lakota) Sioux Encampment where they partook in a peace pipe ceremony with the grand Council.
Clark's journal entry states, "with Great Solemnity took up the pipe of Peace, & after . . . — — Map (db m246413) HM
On Hustan Avenue, 0.2 miles east of Island Drive, on the left when traveling east.
John Charles Waldron was born in Ft. Pierre, SD, on August 21, 1900 and was the youngest of five children born to Charles W. and Jan E. (Van Metre) Waldron, she a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Waldron attended grade school in Fort Pierre . . . — — Map (db m123915) HM WM
On Native American Scenic Byway (Highway 83) at 3rd Avenue on Native American Scenic Byway.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, officially the Corps of Discovery was in what is now South Dakota from August 21 to October 14, 1804 and from August 21 to September 4, 1806. While here they would make numerous discoveries of animals, plants, . . . — — Map (db m187080) HM
On September 25, 1804 The Corps of Discovery met under an awning near the mouth of the Teton (Bad) Raver with the Teton (Lakota) Sioux. A confrontation over the amount of gifts required to continue up river ensued, partially fostered by the lack of . . . — — Map (db m170479) HM
Near this spot on September 23-28, 1804, the historic first meeting of officials of the United States of America with the great Sioux Nation took place. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Captains William Clark and Meriwether Lewis to explore . . . — — Map (db m124828) HM
On Hustan Avenue, 0.2 miles east of Island Drive, in the median.
At this point freight from steamships coming up the Missouri River were unloaded onto ox drawn wagons for 200 miles round trip to Deadwood took 30 days.
This famous old trail 1876-1887 Northwestern Railway operated what they called the Bull . . . — — Map (db m123974) HM
On Benjamin Street at Fort Chauteau Road on Benjamin Street.
One of the oldest American Indians trails in central South Dakota was in use long before white settlement. It ran from Fort Pierre up the Bad River by Midland and Philip and then through Grindstone to the Black Hills. Different bands of people used . . . — — Map (db m170487) HM
On Benjamin Street at Fort Chauteau Road, on the right on Benjamin Street.
During one of the last buffalo hunts along the Grand River in northwestern South Dakota, rancher Fred Dupree captured five buffalo calves. Dupre, and later his son Pete, grew the herd which was purchased by "Scotty" Philip at the turn of the . . . — — Map (db m170482) HM
Near Port Charlotte Avenue south of Jamison Drive, on the right when traveling east.
Railroads were economically and socially important in South Dakota. They furthered new settlement, population growth, and community prosperity by recruiting homesteaders and platting townsites. Trains provided passenger traffic, transported farmers’ . . . — — Map (db m125193) HM
On 2nd Avenue west of Deadwood Street, on the right when traveling west.
All Gave Some,
Some Gave All.
Dedicated To All The Sons and Daughters of Stanley County Who Have Answered Our Country's Call In Time Of Need. — — Map (db m224403) WM
On 1st Street (U.S. 83) north of Main Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
• After Fort Pierre won the county seat, in 1890, Stanley County rented office space and then built a small building/hall.
• In 1907, they decided to build a new brick courthouse on the corner of First Street and Main Avenue. This was where . . . — — Map (db m224547) HM
Near Marina Loop Road, 0.5 miles east of Power House Road, on the right when traveling west.
The steamboats that plied the waters of the Missouri were known as Mountain Boats for their ability to travel close to the headwaters of the Missouri at the Rocky Mountains. Missouri River steamboats were built different then their counterparts on . . . — — Map (db m246418) HM
Completed in 1958, the Stilling Basin allowed the river to flow through Oahe Dam until the Powerhouse became operation in 1962.
The structure can release 748,000 gallons of water per second (110,000 CFS).
The intakes cannot be seen, they . . . — — Map (db m170491) HM
On Deadwood Street north of East Main Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Incorporated in 1890, Fort Pierre was an important trade center for ranchers. Opening the Great Sioux Reservation to settlement further enhanced the community's business prospects. The Stockgrowers Bank started in a wooden building, but owners C. L. . . . — — Map (db m124594) HM
Near Marina Loop Road, 0.5 miles east of Power House Road, on the right when traveling west.
The Arikara
The Arikara lived in villages along the Missouri River in central and north central South Dakota. Their villages were fortified with poles, earth, and brush, which made them tough to scale and difficult to penetrate with bow and . . . — — Map (db m246421) HM
Joseph LaFramboise built Fort LaFramboise out of driftwood in 1817 near the mouth of the Bad River. This area is the oldest continually occupied Euro-American settlement in South Dakota. There were several fur outposts on this river plain up . . . — — Map (db m124132) HM
In 1804-06, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led about 40 soldiers and boatmen on an epic journey. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned this “Corps of Discovery” to find a route to the Pacific Ocean through the newly . . . — — Map (db m170476) HM
On Deadwood Street north of Main Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
The National Register listed the Stockgrowers Bank and it is the single example of Romanesque Revival architecture in Fort Pierre. The building represents an interesting and well-executed adaptation of the style to the needs of the small frontier . . . — — Map (db m224400) HM
On Verendrye Drive (2nd Street), 0.4 miles north of West 2nd Avenue.
Explorers Francois and Louis-Joseph Verendrye buried a lead plate here on March 30, 1743, claiming the region for France. The plate documents the Verendryes as the first European explorers on the northern plains. This site serves as proof of early . . . — — Map (db m124597) HM
On Verendrye Drive (2nd Street), 0.4 miles north of West 2nd Avenue.
Front
”In the twenty-sixth year of the reign
of Louis XV, the most illustrious Lord,
the Lord Marquis of Beauharnois being Viceroy,
1741, Pierre Gaultier de La Verendrye placed this.”
Back
Placed by the Chevalier . . . — — Map (db m124593) HM
On Verendrye Drive (2nd Street), 0.4 miles north of West 2nd Avenue.
In the 1700s, England, France, and Spain all worked hard to colonize North America. The French king gave Quebec fur trader, Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, Sieur de La Verendrye, authorization to expand France's hold in the new world. The French moved . . . — — Map (db m124591) HM
On Verendrye Drive (2nd Street), 0.4 miles north of West 2nd Avenue.
Verendrye Site
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America 1991
National Park Service
United States Department . . . — — Map (db m124595) HM
On Verendrye Drive (2nd Street), 0.4 miles north of West 2nd Avenue.
Here on March 30, 1743, the Verendryes buried a lead tablet to claim this region for France. This tablet found on Feb. 16, 1913, is the first written record of the visit of white men to South Dakota. — — Map (db m177391) HM
On South Dakota Highway 63 (U.S. 14) 2.1 miles south of 34, on the right when traveling south.
Two famous old trails, the Old Deadwood Trail and the Cherry Creek Indian Trail and Rosebud and all points south crossed this spot in the late 1870’s.
Sitting Bull traveled this road from Leslie, S.D. to other reservations and back.
Rosebud . . . — — Map (db m124094) HM
On U.S. 14, 0.1 miles west of Diamond Willow Place.
Fur trade route from Missouri River, Ft. Tecumseh (Pierre) to Ft. William (1832). John (1834) later Laramie via Badlands Pass S of Scenic and White and Niobrara Rivers. Harney’s Expedition (1855) to overawe the Sioux and 1876-88 Stage and Wagon . . . — — Map (db m179942) HM
On U.S. 14, 2 miles south of State Route 34, on the left when traveling south.
was best in the territory over 100 years ago. At that time there was a telegraph station, a road ranch, & the Deadwood Stage changed horses here. 3 famous old trails crossed here - Deadwood Trail - Ft Bennet Army trail to Neb. - Cherrycreek Indian . . . — — Map (db m101276) HM
On North Brown Church Road at South Dakota Highway 34 (U.S. 14), on the right when traveling north on North Brown Church Road.
1907 a Sunday School was started in a school house in "Old Hayes".
1909 the church was organized.
1912 a small building was purchased and moved to Hayes.
This building was used until 1922.
Ed and Edna Neil donated land for a new . . . — — Map (db m246430) HM
On South Dakota Highway 34 (U.S. 14) at North Brown Church Road, on the right when traveling west on South Dakota Highway 34.
1876-1917 Northwest Railway operated what they called the Bull Train. The 200 mile trip from Ft. Pierre to Deadwood took 15 days. 20 ox pulled 3 wagons 20,000# freight or 1000# for each ox. They traveled from 4 am until 10 am rested and grazed ox . . . — — Map (db m246426) HM
On State Highway 34, 0.7 miles west of State Highway 63, on the right when traveling east.
This famous old Indian trail from Leslie & Cherry Creek thru Midland SE to Rosebud was used by Chiefs Spotted Tail Sitting Bull & others in the late 1800s It is still possible to see ruts — — Map (db m246431) HM