“Lindbergh Landing Site”

On this, then private, pasture Colonel Charles Lindbergh landed his Ryan monoplane, “The Spirit of Saint Louis”, September 1st 1927 at exactly 4 pm. On May 21st he had been the first person to fly solo and nonstop from New York to Paris. His plane had no radio, literally no forward visibility, and only minimal navigation equipment, thus his flight was a true aviation “first.” His tour plan was to visit all the state capitals, stimulate interest in commercial aviation, and demonstrate the safety and punctuality of flight. After a short exhibition of circles and maneuvers over Fort Pierre, Pierre, and the landing field; he landed. A crowd of 3800 including Governor Bulow and Mayor Hipple greeted his arrival.

American Legionnaires, led by Commander Charles H Burke, had prepared and secured the site. In attendance were 700 cars, 18 from out of state, and representatives from 39 SD counties. In an open car, Lindbergh led a long procession of cars though streets of Pierre to the Saint Charles hotel where the special guests would spend the night. Following a supper reception at Mayor Hipple’s home the American Legion Scotch band led the dignitaries to the front steps of the Capitol. Mayor Hipple spoke briefly, Governor Bulow predicted that though Lindbergh had crossed the Atlantic and retuned to tell of it, someday some man would leave the earth, journey to the moon and return to tell of it. To the cheering crowd of 5000 Lindbergh spoke briefly confining his remarks to an explanation of his presence in Pierre. Lindbergh declared that his trip was the forerunner of a time in the near future when people of Pierre could leave the Pierre airport and arrive at the east or west coast on the same day. He remarked that Pierre was especially fortunate to have a natural landing field and claimed that it would be important for all cities to develop airports. After an appearance at the dance in the City Auditorium he returned to the St. Charles for the night. Though planning to leave at 9 the next morning, he was delayed a bit by the need to prime the plane’s oil pump. Finally at 9:30 he took off for Cheyenne, WY.

This site, subsequently purchased by the city, would serve for the next 12 years as Pierre’s airport.

Erected by the Pierre/Fort Pierre Historical Preservation Commission with generous support from the South Dakota Pilot’s Association and private donations

Hughes County, south side of Snake Butte, east of Highway 1804