“Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge At Chamberlain”

Dedicated July 7, 1974 By Governor Richard R. Kneip

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with their party camped at several points near this crossing. In September 1804, continuous rain had soaked their gear. They stopped near Oacoma, above the mouth of American Crow Creek at a place they called ‘Camp Pleasant.' Here, in warm and delightful weather, they rested, dried their equipment and repacked their boats. While here, Captain Lewis hunted, killing a buffalo and a magpie, a bird not known in the eastern states. The men ate delicious plums and found an abundance of acorns from Burr Oak, upon which they feasted. Lewis explored American Island noting ‘a large perportion of seeder’ on it.

The expedition returned to this area, homeward bound, in August 1806 after having journeyed into the unknown and immortality.

Brule County, I-90 -rest area at Chamberlain