Nestled atop Stoneman Hill, approximately 8 miles west of Philip, South Dakota, off East Grindstone Road, stands a solitary stone pillar known as the Silent Guide Monument. This landmark, exposed to the sometimes fierce winds of the plains, offers expansive views stretching southward towards the Badlands. On a clear day, gazing north, one might almost imagine the distant aroma of a Christmas turkey from a bygone celebration at Pedro Hall.
Local legend attributes the monument’s initial construction to a shepherd named W.S. Jones in 1900. The story suggests Jones erected the pillar to mark a crucial watering hole in the area. While historical records confirm the presence of Jones families homesteading in Haakon County, definitive information about this specific W.S. Jones remains elusive in both the U.S. Census of 1900 and local history publications like Haakon Horizons. The identity of W.S. Jones and the full story behind the monument’s origin continue to pique local curiosity.
The Silent Guide Monument has not only served as a navigational marker but also as a silent witness to local history and community dynamics. Anecdotes recount periods when the monument became a symbolic target in rivalries between cowboys and homesteaders, locally referred to as “honyockers.” However, as time passed, these conflicts faded, replaced by a shared nostalgia for the open range era before fences redefined the landscape. This sentiment led to the community’s first restoration of the pillar in 1924, demonstrating a collective respect for the landmark. Further solidifying its significance, in 1950, the Silent Guide was officially designated a U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey reference marker, recognizing its importance for surveying and mapping.
By 1999, decades of exposure to the elements had taken their toll, and the wind-beaten sentinel showed signs of wear once more. Demonstrating enduring community spirit, local residents once again rallied to restore the monument’s foundation, ensuring its continued presence. This dedication was further exemplified in 2010 when M.R. and David Hansen, who grew up in the Grindstone area, undertook the task of repointing the stonework, replacing the aged and crumbling mortar that held the structure together.
For those wishing to visit this historical point of interest, directions are straightforward. From Philip, head west on Highway 14 just past the North Fork of the Bad River. Take a slight right turn onto East Grindstone Road and continue straight for approximately eight miles. The Silent Guide Monument will become visible as you ascend a steep hill opposite Stoneman Hill, standing as a testament to local history and community resilience in the South Dakota landscape.
