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F.S. Rowe Building Verendrye Museum
C. D.
114 N. Deadwood Street 115 N. Deadwood Avenue
The one-story portion of the F.S. Rowe Building is the original The Verendrye Museum (pronounced Var-en’-dri) was established
hardware store owned by Hiram Hatch. The second story of the in 1967, when the Historical Society of Old Stanley County
building was added in 1903. completed their efforts in publishing the Prairie Progress In West
Central SD. This publication inspired historically-minded
Fred Rowe bought out Hiram Hatch Hardware in Fort Pierre and individuals to work together and bring their vision to life – a place
continued operating the store as Fred Rowe Hardware. He went where Old Stanley County residents could preserve and
into partnership with Billy Frost in 1903 and the business was commemorate the history and artifacts of Fort Pierre’s colorful
called F.S. Rowe & Co. His daughter Edine’s husband, Fritz past. The museum is named for French brothers Louis and
Hodoval,took over the store when Fred Rowe passed away in Chevalier Verendrye, who explored the upper reaches of the
1929. The building currently houses Dave Dahl’s Saddle Shop. Missouri River. In 1743, the brothers buried a lead plate on top of
Calamity Jane is given credit for a bullet hole in the floor. a nearby hill, claiming the entire Missouri River basin for France.
Today, the Verendrye Monument graces this
same hill and is a National Historic Landmark.
Their lead plate is one of South Dakota’s most
important historic treasures and is housed
across the river in the South Dakota State
Historical Society Museum.
The Verendrye Museum is housed in a 1930s-vintage building
(110’ by 44’) built with Works Program (WPA) funds. In 1933, the
building was dedicated by Governor Tom Berry, South Dakota’s
th
14 Governor. The building was used as the American
Legion/Community Hall for dinners (there was a kitchen under the
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