“Places in Vermillion, SD”
August 25, 1804, was a stiflingly hot day when members of the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery visited Spirit Mound. They came to the site because they had heard that little people with big heads inhabited the mound. At the mound the expedition didn't find any little people, but did find a "most butifull landscape." Years later, the Flood Control Act of 1944, authorized the construction of six main dams in the Missouri River Basin. In addition to flood control, the intent of this act was to provide hydroelectric power. With the damming of the river, most of the sites where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped or visited are now underwater. There are very few places where a person can stand today and know that Lewis and Clark stood in the same exact location. Spirit Mound is one of those few special sites.
Wonderful 0.8 mile walk to the top of the mound through a path spotted with butterflies. Lots of information on Native American lore why this site is sacred, on Lewis and Clark as this is one of the only above water sites of their trek, on the prairie conservation measures, and plaques of the local flora along the walk. Clean outhouse and working water fountain pleasantly capped this stop along the way.
This is a wonderfully calming site. I visited on a stunning May day and there were a lot of birds. Nice picnic area.
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Spirit Mound Historic Prairie
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
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Wheelchair Accessible
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