Verendrye Site, Archaeological site in Fort Pierre, United States
The Verendrye Site stands on a hill beside the Missouri River, featuring a granite monument and three flags representing the United States, France, and South Dakota.
French explorers Louis-Joseph and François Gaultier de La Vérendrye buried a lead plate at this location in 1743 to claim the territory for France.
The site represents the first documented European presence in South Dakota through a lead plate containing inscriptions in Latin about the King of France.
Visitors can access the archaeological area through a paved drive from Verendrye Drive, with a circular turnaround offering parking spaces near the monument.
Local students discovered the original lead plate in 1913 on the eroding hillside, which is now preserved at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center.
Location: Fort Pierre
GPS coordinates: 44.35560,-100.37900
Latest update: March 28, 2025 07:21
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