Fort Randall Map

The Ponca homeland lay down the Missouri at the mouth of the Niobrara, and in the spring of 1877 the government was removing its people to Indian Territory. Special Agent Edward C. Kemble had Standing Bear and his brother Big Snake arrested as defiant and disobedient, charged with keeping willing families from leaving. The two were brought before a military tribunal at Fort Randall, whose commander freed them and telegraphed President Hayes asking that the removal be abandoned. It went ahead, organized by soldiers from this post, and in 1879 soldiers trying to arrest Big Snake killed him.

What the plaque says

Plat of Fort Randall 1856-1892 provided in further explanation of the plane orientation table to the right rear. Legend A - Comdg. Off. Qtrs. B - Officers Qtrs. C - Barracks D - Hospital E - Guard House F - Magazine G - Commissary & Store H - Quartermaster I - Laundresses J - Bakery K - Ordnance L - Comm. Sgt. Qtrs. M - Blacksmith N - Stables O - Post Trader P - Chapel, Library, IOOF Lodge • - Trees Erected 1955 by South Dakota State Historical Society

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Randall — 3.6 mi
  The ruined stone chapel of an 1856 Missouri River post below Fort Randall Dam, where Sitting Bull and his band were held as prisoners for two years.

More markers nearby

• Fort Randall Chapel — steps away
• Commanding Officers Quarters — steps away
• Marty Mission — 7.9 mi
• Bethlehem Cemetery — 13 mi