One of the few remaining physical features that’s easily identified as a place where Lewis and Clark actually stood is Spirit Mound. In August 1804, the two captains, several men and Seaman walked about nine miles from their camp on the Missouri River near the mouth of White Stone Creek. The explorers were determined to see for themselves the mound that was so feared by the Indians of the area.
Clark wrote, “…in this quarter is Suppose to be the residence of Deavels. That they are in human form with remarkable large heads, and about 18 inches high, that they are very watchful and are arm’d with Sharp arrows with which they Can Kill at a great distance…”
No devils were found when the party finally reached the top of Spirit Mound. Instead, the men “beheld a most beautiful landscape; Numerous herds of buffalo were seen feeding in various direction…as far as can be seen”.
You can visit Spirit Mound – it’s approximately six miles north of Vermillion, South Dakota on state highway 19, in Spirit Mound Historic Prairie. Over 300 acres of prairie are being restored to original grasses and there’s a 0.75-mile hiking trail to the summit. More details can be found athttp://gfp.sd.gov/
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