1998: The Inauguration of the Chief Standing Bear Memorial Bridge at the Nebraska-South Dakota Border

August 29, 1998

A dedication ceremony was held for the Chief Standing Bear Memorial Bridge, which spans the Missouri River at the boundary between Nebraska and South Dakota. Approximately 3,000 people turned out for those Saturday afternoon festivities. The ceremony took place on the South Dakota side of that bridge and involved public officials from both states. 

The bridge can be found near the village of Niobrara, Nebraska, and it specifically links Nebraska Highway 14 with South Dakota Highway 37. The 2,953.2-foot (900.1-meter)-long steel girder structure was named after a 19^th century Ponca Native American chief who is buried in that area. Standing Bear (circa 1829-1908) made history as the plaintiff in a landmark court case that established the rights of Native Americans to move about freely. 

Prior to the opening of the Chief Standing Bear Memorial Bridge, motorists needing to cross the river in that region had to either detour 45 miles (72.4 kilometers) downstream to the Meridian Bridge at Yankton, South Dakota, or 60 miles (96.6 kilometers) upstream to Fort Randall Dam near Pickstown, South Dakota. In addition, there was a ferry that crossed the river at Niobrara This service, however, did not run during the winter months and it ceased operations altogether in 1984. 

Area residents long sought to have a bridge built in the vicinity of Niobrara, but plans for such a construction project were continuously stymied by various financial hurdles. “Residents of this isolated stretch of the Great Plains have been trying to build a bridge to the 21^st Century since early in this century,” reported the Chicago Tribune in an article about the structure’s long-postponed construction and debut.  

The Chief Standing Bear Memorial Bridge has been noted for its panoramic views of the river. It has the added distinction of being part of the Missouri River Trail tour. 

Photo Credit: Public Domain

For more information on the Chief Standing Bear Memorial Bridge, please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Standing_Bear_Memorial_Bridge