“Ancient Indian Fortress”

On the Bluff, a quarter of a mile North, ancient Indians, pre-dating the Aricara, built a fortress or strong point involving an exterior perimeter of over 2,000 yards, enclosing about 50 acres, and with bastions, at intervals all along its palisaded wall, to provide enfilading arrow fire along its walls. In front of this was a deep dry moat.

Within these palisades were many square or oblong type Indian houses. A valley in its center contained an abundance of water. Five thousand people could have been sheltered within its walls and it would have taken not less than 300 resolute warriors to defend it.

Archeologists date it back to the time of Columbus or earlier and the probability of the influence of white military design appears remote. The bastion and enfilading fire are white inventions but apparently the Red man also had his military genius and this great fortress is one of the marvels of pre-historic America. These bastions, watch guard fire points, moats are still to be seen. Cars should be left at the foot of the bluff.

Hughes County, six miles east of Pierre on Highway 34 (2006)