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Black Buffalo’s Camp Site Sign in Campground 3 Lilly Park at the Mouth of the Bad River looking at La Framboise lsland.
and some of the men went over to the Indian camp. Their lodges are During the meeting it was agreed that Captains Lewis and Clark would
about eighty in number, and contain about ten persons each.” About two meet with all the Teton chiefs the next morning. Clark returned to the
o’clock, Captain Lewis returned with four more chiefs and a brave man, keelboat. One-third of the men, consisting of the cooks and the guard,
all of whom wanted to see the keelboat. This time Captain Clark took the returned to shore and camped for the night. The five Indians, who had
Indians, “who left the keelboat with reluctience (sic)”, back to shore. been following along on the south side of the Missouri River, caught up
Clark then made the rounds of the village located on the plain west with the party and stayed with the men on shore. Sergeant John Ordway
of the riverbank. He paid social calls on the lodges of the second chief said these men “eat and slept with us friendly.” The remaining members of
and the Grand Chief Black Buffalo. Chief Buffalo invited him to the large the crew, maintaining a high alert, slept aboard the keelboat that evening.
council house to watch the dance similar to last night. About this time, Viewing Points:
Captain Lewis joined them. 1. Farm Island. On Highway 34, about four miles east of downtown Pierre,
Sergeant Patrick Gass described the dance: “Their band of musick (sic), turn right into Farm Island Recreation Area. Go south past the entry
or orchestra, was composed of about twelve persons beating on a buffaloe booth to read a Lewis and Clark Interpretive Sign. Continue to the
hide, and shaking small bags that made a rattling noise. They had a large swimming beach where you can see how the river (now Hipple Lake)
fire in the centre of the camp; on one side the women, about 80 in number, looked when the main channel ran on the north side of the island. In
formed in a solid column round the fire, with sticks in their hands, and the the 1930’s, CCC workers built a dike on the western end of the main
scalps of the Mahas...tied on them. They kept moving, or jumping round channel, which forced the river to run along the south side of the
the fire, rising and falling on both feet at once; keeping a continual noise, island. The island, covered with trees and grasses, has returned to its
singing and yelling. In this manner they continued till 1 o’clock at night.” natural state.
About this time, Captain Lewis returned to the keelboat. Later, one 2. La Framboise Island. In Pierre’s Steamboat Park, drive across the
chief, one principal man, and Captain Clark boarded the other rowboat, causeway. Park your car and walk about a quarter mile south, along
and headed for the keelboat still anchored off shore. As Clark’s boat the shore of the Missouri River, until you come to a Lewis and Clark
neared the keelboat, the steersman misjudged and crossed the bow of Interpretive Sign. Here is a good view of the mouth of the Bad River.
the keelboat, cutting the cable. The anchor was lost. 3. Lilly Park. Take Highway 83 in the city of Fort Pierre, south across the
As the keelboat swung around, Captain Clark in a loud voice, ordered Bad River bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn left on Cedar Street
all hands to man the oars to regain control of the keelboat. This order also and go two blocks east to Casey Tibbs Street. Turn left and go north
alarmed the Indians on shore who thought the explorers were leaving. one block to Ash Avenue. Turn right and go east two blocks to the Lilly
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