South Dakota State History – Native Americans, Pioneers, Homesteaders, Facts

Native Americans

The land that is now South Dakota has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years. The Arikara tribe ruled the country until the 17th century when the Sioux arrived. The major Sioux tribes were his three tribes: the Lakota, East Dakota, and West Dakota. The Sioux were nomads who lived in the Tipi and followed herds of bison. Bison hunting was an important part of Sioux life, providing food, clothing and shelter.

Information about South Dakota State:

Flag of South Dakota State:

Europeans Arrive

French explorers François de la Vélandry and Louis Joseph de la Vélandry were the first Europeans to arrive in South Dakota in 1743. They claimed the land for France. Fur traders migrated to the country to profit from the valuable fur trade with the native Indian tribes.

Louisiana Purchase

South Dakota became part of the United States when the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million in 1803. American explorers Lewis and Clark passed through South Dakota in his 1804 and mapped this country for American President Thomas his Jefferson. In 1817, Joseph La Framboise established the first European settlement at Fort Pierre.

In the late 19th century, much of the country began to be settled by settlers who wanted to cultivate the land. The government will give people 160 hectares of land if they build a house and live there for five years.

South Dakota State Symbols:

South Dakota State Nickname: Mount Rushmore State
South Dakota State Slogan: Great Faces. Great Places.
South Dakota State Motto: Under God the people rule
South Dakota State flower: Pasque flower
South Dakota State bird: Ring-necked Pheasant aka Common Pheasant
South Dakota State fish: Walleye
South Dakota State tree: Black Hills Spruce
South Dakota State mammal: Coyote
South Dakota State foods: Kuchen, Fry Bread

Wounded Knee Massacre

As more and more settlers arrived, conflicts arose with the Sioux Indians over land. Various treaties were signed, but especially when gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874, settlers did not always abide by them.

The last battle between the United States and the Sioux was the Wound Knee Massacre of 1890, in which several Sioux women and children were also killed during the fighting.

Becoming a State

Prior to 1889, South Dakota was part of the Dakota Territory. On November 2, 1889, the territory was split in half and both North and South Dakota incorporated as her 39th and her 40th states.

The Geography of South Dakota State:

• Total Size of South Dakota: 75,885 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
  
• Geographical Low Point of South Dakota: Big Stone Lake at 966 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Roberts (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
  
• Geographical High Point of South Dakota: Harney Peak at 7,242 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Pennington (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
  
• Central Point of South Dakota: Located in Hughes County approx. 8 miles northeast of Pierre (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
  
• Counties of South Dakota: 66 (source: National Association of Counties)
  
• Bodies of Water of South Dakota: Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lewis and Clark Lake, Missouri River, James River, Cheyenne River

End of the Buffalo

Before 1800, South Dakota was home to millions of American bison. Millions of bison were hunted in the 19th century. By 1900, the American bison was nearly extinct, with fewer than 1,000 individuals believed to be alive. An estimated 60 million bison were slaughtered. Today, bison survive and their numbers have risen again to hundreds of thousands.

Famous People of South Dakota State:

Interesting Facts of South Dakota State:

Harney Peak is the tallest mountain in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.

The Crazy Horse Memorial, under construction near Mount Rushmore, will be 641 feet wide and 563 feet high.

The movie Dances with Wolves was filmed in South Dakota.

Homestake Mine is he one of the deepest mines in the world at 8000 feet deep.

Mount Rushmore is engraved with the faces of his four famous US presidents. Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln. Each Mount Rushmore head is 60 feet high.

North Dakota and South Dakota were incorporated on the same day to avoid interstate feuds.

The name Dakota comes from the local Native Americans. It means ‘friend’ or ‘alliance’.

South Dakota became part of the United States as part of her 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota.

Timeline Overview:

1700s – The Sioux occupy most of the area.
1743 – French troops arrive and claim South Dakota.
1803 – The United States purchases land from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
1804 – Explorers Lewis and Clark travel through South Dakota on their way to the Pacific Ocean.
1817 – The first European settlement is established in South Dakota.
1856 – City of Sioux Falls incorporated.
1869 – The Treaty of Fort Laramie gives the western half of South Dakota to the Sioux.
1874 – George Custer discovers gold in the Black Hills.
1889 – South Dakota becomes the 40th state.
1890 – The Wounded Knee Massacre occurs.
1930s – A drought in the Midwest causes the “Dust Bowl,” devastating long-standing crops in South Dakota.
1941 – Construction of the Mount Rushmore Sculpture is completed.
1981 – Citibank moves its credit card business to Sioux Falls.