Spirit Mound near Vermillion
Lewis & Clark Trail Follow The Corps of Discovery August 21, 1804:
The Corps of Discovery enter present-day South Dakota. Here in the “Garden of Eden,” food sources are plentiful. Joseph Fields shoots the party’s first buffalo. Interpretive signage is located at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve, North Sioux City. See one of the last free flowing segments of the Missouri River. Two stretches of the river, designated as the Missouri National Recreational River, are popular for boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
August 22, 1804:
Following the death of Sgt. Floyd, Lewis and Clark need a sergeant to replace him. Patrick Gass receives 19 votes in the first election by U.S. citizens west of the Mississippi. This election was held where the town of Elk Point now stands. An exhibit in Elk Point tells the story.
August 25, 1804:
Area tribes believe that “little people” standing 18 inches tall and carrying arrows inhabit a prairie hill. The story sparks Lewis and Clark’s interest and they set off on foot to investigate. The men hike four hours, but at the top, the infamous devils are nowhere to be found. The explorers do, however, see an incredible sight: a herd of buffalo, nearly 800 of them, grazing in the distance. This is one of the very few places where we can say it is certain that they actually stood. You’ll find interpretive signage along the 3/4 mile trail to the summit and panoramic views of 300 acres of restored prairie grasses and wildflowers at Spirit Mound Historic Prairie, six miles north of Vermillion on Hwy. 19.
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August 30, 1804:
The expedition has its first council with the Yankton Sioux. The explorers present the Yanktons with gifts of tobacco, flags and medals. The Yanktons prepare a feast. Interpretive signage is located at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area Welcome Center near Yankton. The Lewis and Clark Visitor Center is another great place to learn more about the expedition, the tribes they encountered and the Missouri River itself. Built on a bluff overlooking Lewis and Clark Lake and the Gavins Point Dam, it is located across the bridge across the dam.
September 11, 1804:
After being separated from the party for over two weeks, Private George Shannon re-joins the keelboat. Shannon, the youngest member at age 19, had gotten lost on the prairie and run out of bullets. He went 12 days without food, except for wild grapes and a rabbit, which he shot using a piece of stick in place of a bullet. Interpretive signage is located at Snake Creek Rec Area near Platte.
September 2, 1806:
On the return trip Lewis and Clark meet up with a group of Yankton Sioux, realize they are friends, and smoke several pipes together as they exchange news. Chief Standing Bear Bridge, near Springfield, now spans the Missouri near the site of this meeting. A scenic lookout offers a spectacular view of the river. For more information about cities, attractions and lodging along the trail visit southeastsouthdakota.com/journey/ lewis-clark-trail.
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