Sitting Bull Monument

The Sitting Bull reburial celebrates it's 51st Anniversary in 2004.  It was back in 1953 that the body of Sitting Bull was returned to the area that had been home to him.

One of the most historic sites in the area is the gravesite of the Sioux Indian, Chief Sitting Bull, leader of the Sioux tribe.  He was born on the Grand River a few miles west of Mobridge in March 1831.  He was not a hereditary chief, but he acquired whatever power possessed through personal qualities which appealed to his people.  Sitting Bull's tragic end came at the very place he was born.  The great Sioux leader was shot by Indian police in 1890 while resisting arrest and his body was placed in a simple grave without ceremony in Ft. Yates, ND.  Mobridge became nationally known when, on a dark and stormy April night in 1953, relatives of Sitting Bull and members of the Mobridge community moved Sitting Bull's remains to a gravesite just west across the river from Mobridge.  The access road to the monument is 4 miles off the junction of US Hwy 12 on SD Hwy 1806.  The gravesite is open to the public free of charge.  For more information, visit www.sittingbull.org.

Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe stretches for 231 miles from Oahe Dam, near Pierre all the way to Bismarck, ND.  The largest of the four Missouri River reservoirs, Lake Oahe is the "big water".  This deep, clear lake - at its maximum depth, Oahe reaches 205 feet - makes for excellent boating and fishing.  www.state.sd.us/gfp/fishing/LakeOahe/OaheIndex.htm

The Klein Museum

Is located on West Hwy 12.  The Klein Museum is open April 1st-October 31st, Monday thru Friday 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 1pm-5pm.  It is closed on Tuesdays except in June, July and August.  Adults...$2.00, Children...$1.00, Pre-school and School Groups...FREE.  In visiting the Museum, one can see two cultures, European and Sioux Indian, meet in its many displays.   It has a fine collection of early Indian beadwork, head dresses, clothing, tools and early photographs.  There are numerous displays of items used by early pioneers of the area, many arranged in room scenes--post office, trapper's shack, doctor's office and dentist's office, etc. in addition to an old country school that has been restored.   The gift shop supplies authentic Indian beadwork and locally produced arts and crafts.

Recreation

Mobridge has become known as the "Walleye Capital of the World" and fishing has become the main attraction.  Walleye, Northern Pike, Sauger, Catfish, Perch, White Bass, Crappies, Salmon and Smelt are all abundant in the Oahe.  Within a 25 mile radius of Mobridge, there is an abundance of Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Antelope, Coyote, Fox, Prairie Dog, Gopher, Rabbit, Duck, Geese, Dove, Partridge, Sand Hill Crane, Turkey and Grouse making it a hunting paradise.  Other recreation in Mobridge includes the Mobridge Country Club with a 9-hole green grass golf course, an eight lane bowling alley, an outdoor municipal swimming pool and a nice swimming beach.  There are also two playgrounds in the city.  There is a mile long path along the shoreline right in front of the Wrangler Inn.  In summer months, you may want to enjoy a movie at one of the few remaining outdoor theaters.

Historic Sites

Sacagawea Monument

Sacagawea or Bird Woman, won her place in history as the indomitable guide of Lewis and Clark in 1804.  She was a Shoshone Indian Princess of the Big Horn Mountains of Montana, she was captured and taken to North Dakota.  There she married a French fur trader and together they were hired by Lewis and Clark for their trip west.   By her courage, endurance and unerring instinct she guided the success of the venture. For more information www.state.nd.us/hist//sakakawea.htm

Jedediah Smith Monument

Jedediah Smith discovered and chartered the central route from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific in 1826-1827, is located at the entrance of Indian Memorial Campground (Smiths Bay) west on Hwy 12 across the river.  For more information, go to http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/Mtmen/jedesmith.html

Leavenworth Monument

The Leavenworth Monument marks a number of occasions that occurred in the area north of Mobridge, beginning in 1804 with the battle of whites and Native Americans in South Dakota.  The monument is named for Col. Henry Leavenworth, who in 1823, battled with the Arikara over an encounter with fur traders.  The battle left 27 casualties and is considered the second bloodiest encounter with Native Americans in South Dakota.  Leavenworth, along with a number of Sioux allies, fought the Arikara and destroyed the large village that stood near the spot.  There was also a treaty signed with the Arikara and Sioux at the site in 1825.  The Leavenworth Monument that was once only accessible by water, has been moved to a new home at the Klein Museum, where it will be more available to the public.  

Fool Soldier Band Monument

The Fool Soldier Band Monument is located at the Klein Museum on west Hwy 12.  On August 20-22, 1862, a group of young Teton Sioux negotiated for the white captives of the Santee Indians and returned the captives to their families and friends.   They expected no rewards or other reimbursements and their actions seemed to be motivated purely by humanitarian concerns.  All this makes the rescue an outstanding act of heroism and unselfish devotion, almost without parallel in history.  This act of heroism took place in what is now Walworth County.

Oscar Howe Murals

The Oscar Howe Murals are located in the City Auditorium on Main Street.   The way of the early Sioux Indians in the Mobridge area is brought alive on these walls.  Ten murals by the renowned South Dakota artist, the late Oscar Howe, depict Sioux ceremonies and history, and are one of the city's most prized possessions.  The murals were painted in 1942 under a Work Project Administration (WPA) program.  Each area is about twenty feet wide and the top of the paintings being thirty feet from the floor.  Visitors are welcome to view the murals free of charge.  A must see!!  www.oscarhowe.com

Conqueror's Stones

The Conqueror's Stones are located at the north end of the city park.   How or who brought them to Mobridge and placed them there is a mystery as also is the question as to where they came from.  Originally, there was a marker in the park with the following inscription:

"Note the grooves, according to tradition defeated Indian Warriors were required to place their hands in these grooves as a sign of submission Shetak Captives Rescued Here November, 1862 by Fool Soldier Band"

Further investigation found that some of the Indian people referred to them as Prayer Rocks and that Indians used to take an oath when initiated into the tribe with their hands in the handprints of the rocks.  Some Sioux Indians believed they are the handprints of the Thunderheads, those Gods displayed on the totem poles, they believed they would be taken into the Sky World or Heaven.

Walworth County Veteran's Memorial

The Walworth County Veteran's Memorial located along US Highway 12 and 83 at Selby, 20 miles east of Mobridge.  Selby welcomes you to stop by for a visit.  The Memorial was built in 2002, and stands proudly on the grounds of the Walworth County Courthouse.  The black granite slabs hold the names of the veterans of every branch of the service who have ties to the county.  Built by the tenacity of the Walworth County Veteran's Memorial Committee, the monument is a testament to the pride and patriotism of this country, and of all of South Dakota.

Special Events

Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo

Traditions of the old west come alive for the Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo every July 2, 3, and 4 at 7:30 pm nightly, which features top-name professional cowboys and cowgirls, top animals and top rodeo entertainment.  In addition to the rodeo action, there is a carnival, two big main street parades and a huge fireworks display on the night of the 4th after the rodeo.

Pow Wows

There are several Pow Wows that take place in the summer months around the Mobridge area.  These are always a must see!!

Beef 'N Fun Day

The Annual Beef 'n Fun Day, held the 2nd Saturday in September, is an annual appreciation day held by the business' and professional people of Mobridge for all the people in the Mobridge area.  Barbecued beef dinners are served free to the public.   A street fair, special contests and events, speakers and performers are all a part of this spectacular celebration.

Lewis and Clark Rediscovery Festival

The Lewis and Clark Rediscovery Festival is held the 2nd Saturday in August.   On May 14, 1804, the "Corps of Discovery" led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed from St. Louis.  The group started up the Missouri River and in 1805 their Shoshone woman guide, Sacagawea, led them across the Rockies.  They descended the Clearwater, Snake and Columbia Rivers and built Fort Clatsop, where they wintered, on the Pacific coast.  On their return they separated for a time, Lewis descending the Marias River and Clark the Yellowstone.  Once reunited, they arrived in St. Louis in September, 1806.  In a span of 28 months, they covered 8,000 miles, developed friendships with the Native Americans and learned how to survive in some of the America's most beautiful and treacherous territories.  Corps of Rediscovery Winterfest will be held in February of 2003 featuring local culture and Entertainment.  For more information on Lewis and Clark, visit www.LewisAndClark200.com or www.lewis-clark.org.