This marker is located in the parking lot of the Fort Pierre Depot Museum. As such, there is plenty…read moreof parking for you to stop and be able to read the sign. The museum was closed when I stopped by but it looks quite interesting if you're spending time here in Pierre. The marker reads, "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, on hill to you left .6 miles." "Joseph LaFrombois started first fur post here in 1817 on west bank of Missouri just south of mouth of Bad river. Whites here since then." "Practically on same site, French Fur Co., Pierre D. Papin & Pascual Cerres had post Ft. Teton 1827 sold to Am. Fur Co., 1830. Bad River, then called Little Missouri was site where Father Hoecken on June 12-13, 1840 baptized 25 children, offspring of 13 traders and trappers, among them Dorion, Papin, Halsey, Campbell, Brazeau and Alleron." "All these things happened in limits of Ft. Pierre." [Review 17839 overall - 43 in South Dakota - 1360 of 2022.]

On the way out of Mount Rushmore and heading down towards Keystone, you'll find this historical…read moremarker installed by the State of South Dakota and in memory of the man who carved the start of the famous Mount Rushmore National Monument. And if you frame it right, you can get a picture of the monument with the historical marker, which reads: "His birthplace was Idaho. California first taught him art. Then France, who first gave him fame. England welcomed him. America called him home. His genius for the exquisite as for the colossal gave permanence on canvas, in bronze, in marble, to moods of beauty or passion, to figures of legend and history. Nations, cities, colleges paid him tribute. As a patriot he stripped corruption bare. As a statesman he toiled for equality in the rights of man. At last he carved a mountain for a monument. He made the monument chant: 'Remember! These giant souls set America free and kept her free. Hold fast your sacred heritage, Americans! Remember! Remember!' The first actual carving was begun in 1927. The Washington head was dedicated in 1931, representing the founding of our government; the Jefferson in 1936 for the man who made our first great expansion west with the Louisiana Purchase; Lincoln in 1937 for his preservation of the Union; the final head, Roosevelt, in 1939, for the completion of the Panama Canal. Borglum said, 'I want somewhere in America a memory of the great things we accomplished as a nation, placed so high it won't pay to pull it down for lesser purposes.' The project was nearly completed in 1941 when Borglum died. Mount Rushmore was completed by his son Lincoln with the final drilling done October 31, 1941." There are spots on both sides of the highway where you can stop, but watch the traffic if you decide to cross! UPDATE: This is Yelp hamsters at work. This was originally the Gutzon Borglum Historical Marker in Keystone, SD. So let's move it to Pierre, Yelp?

The SD Cultural Heritage Center is a wonderful facility. The museum exhibits are interesting. The…read morecurrent exhibit deals with the minuteman missiles which formed such an interesting part of state history. The museum has additional activities for the kids. The online presence of the CHC is also excellent. I particularly like the old pictures and postcards which have been scanned and placed online. Wonderful!

Along US-14, this marker points out an invisible line. The 100th Meridian, although an imaginary…read moreline on the surface of the earth, has long symbolized the end of the east and the beginning of the west. Major John Wesley Powell, an early western explorer and the second director of the United States Geological Survey, recognized the 100th Meridian as the natural demarcation line between the humid east and the arid west. "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." The road does not have any extra space to pull over so use caution. [Review 17845 overall - 47 in South Dakota - 1366 of 2022.]

Pretty cool little roadside attraction. Impressive mineral collection, and large educational…read morepetrified wood exhibit outside. The admission price and prices in the gift shop are reasonable and there was plenty to impress and educate a wide range of ages.

Surprising stop! Very interesting stuff and great if you are a "rock hound"! Lots of petrified…read moretrees and minerals you can go through and pick out your favorites.

The Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge carries Interstate 90 across the Missouri River and connects…read morethe towns of Chamberlain and Oacoma. There is a second bridge just upriver - the Chamberlain Bridge carries Interstate 90 (Business) over the river. Apparently, every state along the Missouri River has its Lewis and Clark Bridge. Construction on the bridge began in 1967 and cost $8 million. It was dedicated on July 7, 1974, and was opened to traffic in August. It has a 3500 causeway and the bridge itself is 2031 feet. While it does a fine job of transporting vehicles over the river, it has no decorative features. An overlook on the bluff above the river is at the Chamberlain Rest Area https://www.yelp.com/biz/chamberlain-rest-stop-chamberlain?hrid=h5FEDPayndvEiFt8Czwmrg. [Review 17151 overall - 32 in South Dakota - 668 of 2022.]

What a treat to see so many classic cars and for sale for the right price. third generation owned…read more they have more than just cars there. They have old back in the day buildings, caboose you can walk into, TVs, radios, motors, tractors, games and more all from back in the day too much to name all. It was a fun little stop, wait its not little 43 bldgs.o e of Dale Earnhardt's cars, the Dukes of Hazzard car a car made out of wood a two headed calf a train station/bus station?

This place is huge! You can spend a couple of hours walking through all the expansions.read more

This museum was a real fantastic look into the life and culture of the Lakota Sioux Indians of…read moreSouth Dakota. The museum contains many interesting items and clothing of the Sioux. The beaded woman's dresses are worth the visit alone. One can also find an exhibit of children's moccasins. The museum could easily charge $5-10 for an entrance fee. The gift shop is an excellent place to shop for Indian Souvenirs and is well stocked with a lot of variety from arrows, to jewelry and more. I drove about 900 miles just for this museum and would recommend it to anyone interested in this Indian culture lifestyle.

Beautiful museum with tons of information. We could have spent much more time here than we had…read moretime for. No cost to get in but donations accepted. The quilts were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Would love to go back sometime. So much more to learn. The people who worked there went over and above to show us things we might not have otherwise seen and very friendly. June 26, 2025

A fantastic time!!! My party of three loved walking around this 1880 town from the 30 buildings to…read morethe homestead, petting the goats and camels, and browsing through the gift shop. Our only complaint was we were too early for the costume rental. The staff were so friendly, informative and just great to talk to. Shout out to the sheriff and his wife! It was great chatting with you!

Step back in time to the 1880s and explore this settlement between Murdo and Rapid City…read more Whether a quick pit stop to refill or you have time to explore, you'll have fun! Great for families to stretch legs and learn some history, did I mention, there are some extra seasonal characters added, so keep and eye out and enjoy! You'll be greeted by the goats (do not pet) as well as Morgan and Fred the resident cats (welcome to gentle pets). In the 1880 reenactment area there are also donkeys (do not pet). On the site, there is a gas station, clean bathrooms, and convenience store. Great to stock up for the drive. If you have more time walk through the gift shop (full of souvenirs, local jewelry, local art, snag some unique SD finds like horse haul bracelets). Just past the gift shop you have the museum/showroom and then you step out into a period reenactment of the settlement in the 1880s! It was really cool to explore. Also, pet friendly if they are non-aggressive to the resident friends and on-leash.