Jefferson in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Grasshopper Cross

January 8, 2022

1. Grasshopper Cross Marker

Inscription. The Huge wooden cross in the cemetery, replaced the rude one erected on that day in May, 1876, when Father Pierre Boucher led his pilgrimage of Catholic & Protestant marchers back to Jefferson, after an eleven mile trek seeking Divine Intervention in the grasshopper plague. It was the third cross erected that miraculous day. The grasshoppers left.

Grasshopper Cross Dedication Plaque
Replica of the Original Grasshopper Cross May 1876 Donor Alex Chicoine Jr. 1967

Erected 1966 by Regina Bernard in Memory of her father, Pierre U. Bernard and South Dakota State Historical Society. (Marker Number 402.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Disasters • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 42° 36.225′ N, 96° 33.608′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, South Dakota, in Union County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 Main St, Jefferson SD 57038, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Peter's Church Jefferson (a few steps from this marker); Postmasters Jefferson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Flour Mill in Dakota (about 600 feet away); Twelve Mile House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fourteen Mile House (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Grasshopper Cross (approx. 4.6 miles away); From Settlement to State Park (approx. 5.4 miles away in Iowa); Geology Wonders (approx. 5.4 miles away in Iowa). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016

2. Grasshopper Cross Marker

St. Peter's Church showing Grasshopper Cross and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 22, 2016

3. St. Peter's Church showing Grasshopper Cross and Marker

Grasshopper Cross Marker, from the northwest image. Click for full size.

January 8, 2022

4. Grasshopper Cross Marker, from the northwest

Grasshopper Cross image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016

5. Grasshopper Cross

Grasshopper Cross Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016

6. Grasshopper Cross Dedication Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 925 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on September 3, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Photos: 1. submitted on January 12, 2022. 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 4. submitted on January 12, 2022. 5, 6. submitted on February 28, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.