Checking Out South Dakota

South Dakota joined America as the 40th state on November 2, 1889. It is the 17th largest state in size at 77,121 square miles, but is only 46th in population with less than 845,000 residents. 

Most Americans think of South Dakota as mountainous due to it being the location of the Black Hills with the famous Mt. Rushmore National Memorial and the still incomplete mountain sculpture of Crazy Horse, but the majority of the state is actually rolling, temperate grasslands. 

The town of Spearfish was founded in 1876 during
the gold rush. It got the name from the fact it is
on a creek where the Indians used to spear the
fish for their supper.

The Black Hills have always been considered sacred land by the Sioux Indians. In 1868, the western half of present day South Dakota, which included the Black Hills, was acknowledged as belonging to the Sioux in the Treaty of Laramie. However, a military expedition into these sacred mountains led by George Custer found gold and when word got out, white miners and fortune seekers by the thousands invaded Sioux territory. When the military did not stop these illegal incursions, war broke out. Eventually the military defeated the Sioux and the Indians were forced out of the area onto reservations. The Sioux still consider the Black Hills to be their sacred land and in the 1970's, sued the United States in an effort to get the land back. The tribe won their court case at the Supreme Court level and the government was ordered to pay them a large monetary settlement. The financial offer was refused because the tribe insists the land is theirs and they will not settle for anything other than getting it back. The case is still open and not settled more than 35 years later.

Entering Deadwood, South Dakota

There are so many things to see and do in South Dakota that every troll should visit at least once in their life. From Mt. Rushmore to the Custer State Park, from Badlands National Park to the multiple stunning scenic byways to drive, you are sure to find many enjoyable ways to spend your time here!

Deadwood's history museum and information center

The Adams Museum in downtown Deadwood

At the Stamper Jewelry store outside of Deadwood.
Stamper has become widely known for its custom
jewelry featuring silver and Black Hills gold.

Statue of a miner outside Deadwood. Perhaps it is a tribute
to Potato Creek Johnny, a miner who stood only 4 feet 1 inch
tall. He came to the Black Hills in 1883 at the age of 18 and
spent years looking for gold. While prospecting on Potato
Creek, he found one of the world's largest nuggets, 7 3/4 oz of
solid gold. Johnny kept prospecting and entertained visitors
with his stories of Deadwood's early years until he died in
1943 at the age of 77.

Lil Dude at Bridal Veil Falls. In the Black Hills on the
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, water cascades down a
shear 60-foot cliff. Two more falls even more impressive
are just a short hike away. With beautiful views around
almost every curve of this 20-mile drive, it proves to be
one of the prettiest in America.