The Epic Rest Stop In South Dakota That’s Actually Worth Pulling Over For
When you’re traveling, rest stops are a welcome sight along the freeway. They’re typically just places to use the restroom, stretch your legs, and perhaps enjoy a picnic lunch, but rest stops aren’t usually noteworthy. When is the last time you pulled over at a rest stop to find an incredible museum and a jaw-dropping work of art? This rest stop in Chamberlain is anything but ordinary.
You'll find the Chamberlain rest stop on I-90 between exits 263 and 265. But this is not just a rest stop. It's also the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.
Inside, you'll find displays and information about the Lewis & Clark Expedition of 1803 to 1806, which took the explorers through what is now South Dakota.
You'll learn about the keelboats that carried the men and supplies down the Missouri River. Ascend the staircase into the 55-foot-long replica keelboat to see some stunning views of the valley and river below.
But we've saved the crown jewel of this place for last. This is "Dignity of Earth and Sky." This breathtaking sculpture is a tribute to the Lakota and Dakota people and stands 50 feet tall.
The talented sculptor Dale Lamphere said that "My intent is to have the sculpture stand as an enduring symbol of our shared belief that we are in a sacred place and that we are all sacred."
Lamphere used three Native American models of different ages to craft Dignity's face, and you can see the strength of her people in her countenance. She's dressed in clothing from the 1850s: a two-hide dress and pieced moccasins, and is holding a star quilt.
The star quilt that Dignity holds includes 128 blue diamonds that are each four feet long. They're allowed to move and glitter in the wind.
Dignity of Earth and Sky was commissioned by Norm and Eunabel McKie and gifted to the people of South Dakota. The sculpture was dedicated on September 17, 2016.
Have you visited the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Chamberlain? Tell us about your experience there!
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Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
