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Escort Notes Table of Introduction

Contents is the land of Great Faces and Great Places. From our rolling prairies to the breathtaking beauty of the , the State is a place you 1 Introduction have to see to believe. South Dakota’s rich culture, heritage and history are showcased at the many attractions found 2 South Dakota History within our borders. From awe-inspiring Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Memorial, to the 5 Tourism Regions Mighty , Fort Sisseton Historic State Park and the World’s Only Corn Palace, South Dakota won’t 8 Major Attractions be a place you soon forget.

12 The Great Nation Native Americans such as the , , and tribes of the Great Sioux Nation were among the first inhabitants 16 Looking Out the Window of these lands. According to many accounts, white men first entered South Dakota in 1743 when the Verendrye 24 Lewis and Clark brothers claimed the region for France. Fur traders soon followed. And in 1804, explorers and 34 Did You Know? made their famous trek up the Missouri River, which bisects the state. 38 Legends and Lore Today, South Dakota’s economy relies heavily on agriculture. 44 Trivia The rich soil of eastern South Dakota supports a variety of crops, while cattle and sheep graze on the sprawling 46 Tunnels, Trails, Byways ranches of the plains. The state ranks high in the production of beef cattle, hogs, buffalo and sheep. South 48 More Information Dakota is also a leading producer of honey, oats, rye, sunflowers, spring wheat, soybeans and corn.

But the resource South Dakota is most proud of is its South Dakota Office of Tourism people. The friendliness and hospitality of South Dakotans 711 E. Wells Ave. keep visitors returning year after year. Pierre, SD, USA 57501-3369 Phone: (605) 773-3301 Fax: (605) 773-5657 www.TravelSD.com

Please note: South Dakota Tourism makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of these listings, but changes sometimes occur without prior knowledge. South Dakota Tourism cannot be held liable in the event of errors or omissions in listings. The use of the names of private companies in this guide is for information purposes only and does not imply endorsement by any state or federal agency. For detailed information about South Dakota, along with assistance for planning your group tour, check out: www.TourSDakota.com or email 1 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 65 million years ago 1804-06 1868 Dinosaurs roam western Explorers Meriwether Lewis The Fort Laramie Treaty South Dakota South Dakota. and William Clark pass creates the Great Sioux through present-day South Reservation west of the 30 million years ago small Dakota on their way to and Missouri River. three-toed horses live in the from the Pacific Ocean. History Badlands. 1869 1809 The first of many Bohemians 500-800 A.D. organizes local file claims in . Semi-nomadic Mound fur trade between the St. Louis Builders inhabit northeastern Fur Company and tribes 1873 South Dakota. along the Missouri River. Germans begin to arrive in Dakota Territory. The influx 1500 1831 of settlers of Swedish, Finnish, The Arikara, or Ree Indians, The Yellowstone, the first Polish, Dutch and Swiss move into South Dakota. steamboat on the Missouri descent is underway as well. River, paddles to Fort Tecumseh 1682 (present-day Fort Pierre) 1874 All land drained by the The first group of Hutterites Mississippi River system, 1831 arrives in Dakota Territory including South Dakota, Fort Pierre Choteau, the first to establish colonies in is proclaimed for France. permanent white settlement eastern South Dakota. in South Dakota, is established. 1700s 1874 The tribes of the Great 1859 Gold is discovered in the Black Fast Facts Sioux Nation begin moving Norwegians begin to Hills by an expedition led by into South Dakota. establish claims near the Lt. Col. George A. Custer. Vermillion and James rivers. Population 754,844 1743 They were the forerunners 1876 Land Area 77,123 square miles The Verendrye brothers of thousands of Norwegians Mining camps spring up in Highest Elevation Harney Peak, 7,242 feet from bury an who settled in South Dakota. the Black Hills during the Lowest Elevation Big Stone Lake, 962 feet inscribed lead plate near . Nickname The Mount Rushmore State Fort Pierre, claiming the 1860s Statehood 1889, 40th state to enter the Union region for France. Settlers of Irish descent make 1878 homes in South Dakota. Pioneering farmers begin Capital Pierre (pronounced peer) 1803 the rush for land known as Time Zones Central and Mountain The buys 1861 the “Great Dakota Boom.” Economy Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, present-day South Dakota Dakota Territory is organized. services, retail from France as part of the It includes present-day North . and South Dakota, much of and Montana. Yankton is named territorial capital. 2 3 1889 1930 1973 The Land Act of March 1889 The drought, grasshopper About 200 armed members establishes the six current plague and depression mark of the American Indian reservations in South Dakota. hard times. Movement (AIM) occupy Later that year, South Dakota Wounded Knee to protest becomes a state. 1939 policies towards Native President Franklin D. Americans. 1890 Roosevelt creates Badlands More than 250 National Park. 1989 Tourism are killed by government South Dakota celebrates its troops in what came to be 1941 centennial. known as the Wounded Work on Mount Rushmore Knee Massacre. National Memorial ends. 1991 Regions Mount Rushmore National 1900 1944 Memorial celebrates its Jewel Cave is discovered; The Flood Control Act golden anniversary. eight years later it becomes provides for dams along the a national monument. Missouri River. 1998 The face of Crazy Horse Great Lakes Glacial 1903 1948 on the world-famous Crazy Wind Cave becomes a Work begins on Crazy Horse Horse mountain carving is Lakes & national park, the first cave Memorial. dedicated. Work continues Prairies designated as part of the on the rest of the colossal national park system. 1966 sculpture. Black Hills, The Pathfinder Atomic Badlands 1927 Power Plant near Sioux Falls 2004-2006 Work begins on Mount begins producing electricity. South Dakota commemorated & Lakes Rushmore National the 200th anniversary of the Southeast Memorial. Lewis and Clark Expedition.

4 5 Black Hills, Glacial Lakes Badlands & Lakes & Prairies

The Black Hills, an island of forested mountains rising from Glaciers once covered the northeastern region of South a sea of prairie, and nearby Badlands are home to majestic Dakota. As they moved, they scoured and scraped the landscapes, free-roaming buffalo herds and diverse wildlife. earth - leveling it in some places, building it up in others Mount Rushmore National Memorial, , and scooping out potholes in yet more places. The melting two national parks, two national monuments, a national Glacial Lakes glaciers filled the chain of potholes forming lakes. French forest, a national historic site and one of the country’s largest & Prairies Tourism explorers dubbed this undulating terrain the coteau des Black Hills, state parks are located here. Association prairies or hills of the prairie. Badlands & Lakes Association Old West legend and lore is alive and well in Deadwood PO Box 244, The rolling landscape is home to 15 state parks and where gaming is once again legal. This region is rich with 1200 33rd St. S.E. recreation areas, two national wildlife refuges, De Smet, the 1851 Discovery Circle Native American artistry and history. The Lakota named Watertown, SD 57201-0244 “Little Town on the Prairie” made famous by author Laura Rapid City, SD 57701 the area Paha Sapa or Black Hills. A thick forest of pine and (605) 886-7305 or Ingalls Wilder, and boundless water recreation at the area’s (605) 355-3600 spruce trees cover the slopes making them appear black from 1-800-244-8860 120 lakes. This region also hosts a festival at one of the best Fax: (605) 355-3601 a distance. You’ll find grassy mountain meadows, towering Fax: (605) 886-7935 preserved frontier forts in the country, gaming action at www.blackhillsbadlands.com granite peaks, deep canyons, cascading trout streams and www.sdglaciallakes.com casinos near Watertown and Flandreau, and 150 original [email protected] clear, clean lakes. [email protected] artworks at the Redlin Art Center. Great Lakes Southeast

In the center of South Dakota, the Missouri River and its The sophisticated atmosphere of the state’s largest city mingles high, rugged and grassy bluffs form a bridge between the with the charm of rural Americana in an alluring combination gently rolling ranch country of the west and the tabletop in the southeast region of South Dakota. Sioux Falls, named flatness of the east. The Missouri River and its reservoirs for the Falls of the Big Sioux River, features upscale restaurants, offer vast expanses of open water and 3,000 miles (4,830 km) quirky shops, ethnic boutiques and historical districts. Area Great Lakes of shoreline. The reservoirs, formed by four huge, rolled-earth Southeast , like the Dakota Discovery in Mitchell, of South Dakota dams, afford recreation, world-class fishing and nearby South Dakota celebrate the region’s pioneering history and heritage. Association top-notch hunting opportunities. Tourism Association Many smaller scenic rivers accent the mighty Missouri River, PO Box 786 Lewis and Clark followed the Missouri River through present- 1101 Broadway, Suite 113 which also flows through this region. Located within southeast Pierre, SD 57501 day South Dakota in 1804. Numerous sites along South Yankton, SD 57078 South Dakota is Spirit Mound, one of the few historical sites (605) 224-4617 or Dakota’s Lewis and Clark Trail recall their exploits, while (605) 665-2435 or along the entire Lewis and Clark Trail where you can stand 1-888-386-4617 first-rate museums like the Akta Lakota in Chamberlain and 1-888-353-7382 where the explorers actually stood more than 200 years ago. Fax: (605) 224-4617 the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre showcase the region’s Fax: (605) 665-8776 The region is dotted with state parks and recreation areas www.sdgreatlakes.org history. Pierre also hosts the majestic architecture of the www.southeastsouthdakota.com featuring modern campgrounds, peaceful hiking trails and [email protected] State Capitol, fully restored to its original 1910 splendor. [email protected] rolling scenery.

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Black Hills “Paha Sapa” the Lakota call them, “hills that are black,” National Forest because their pine-covered slopes look as dark as shadows Major Attractions Western South Dakota from afar. The forest is made up of 1.2 million acres (480,000 ha) of meadows and tree-covered mountains. At 7,242 feet (2,207 m) above sea level, Harney Peak is the highest peak Mount Rushmore This mountain carving features the 60-foot (18 m) faces of in the United States east of the . The National Memorial four great American presidents: George , Thomas forest has more than 40 trails with 920 miles for hiking, near Keystone Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Work biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and on the sculpture began in 1927 when sculptor snowmobiling. , , pronghorn, bighorn sheep and was 60. Work ended 14 years later at his death. The Lincoln mountain goats roam freely through the forest. Borglum Visitor Center and Museum has several interactive www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills displays, along with more than 400 artifacts and 300 photographs. The Presidential Trail, which is about a half-mile (.8 km) walk and loops along the base of the mountain, offers a spectacular close-up view of the faces. Badlands This striking landscape features a maze of buttes, canyons, www.nps.gov/moru National Park pinnacles, and spires. The Lakota gave this land its name, Southwestern South Dakota “mako sica,” meaning “land bad.” Erosion of the Badlands reveals sedimentary layers of different colors: purple and yellow (shale), tan and gray (sand and gravel), red and Crazy Horse Memorial A fifth granite face has emerged in the Black Hills. The orange (iron or rust) and white (volcanic ash). The skeletons near Custer colossal Crazy Horse mountain carving, now in progress, can of ancient camels, three-toed horses, saber-toothed cats and be seen just 17 miles (27 km) from Mount Rushmore National giant rhinoceros-like creatures are among the many fossilized Memorial. Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski started work on the species found here. Living creatures abound as well in the mountain in 1948 as a tribute to Native Americans. His park’s 244,000 acres (97,600 ha). Bison, pronghorn, mule family continues to carve Crazy Horse, using three books of and whitetail deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, eagles and hawks detailed plans he left after his death in 1982. When complete, can often be seen by visitors. Crazy Horse will be the world’s largest mountain carving, www.nps.gov/badl standing 563 feet high (172 m) and 641 feet long (195 m). www.crazyhorse.org State Capitol South Dakota’s majestic State Capitol building in Pierre Pierre was completed in 1910 using a variety of materials including native field stone, limestone, and Vermont and There are few truly wild places left in this country. Custer Italian marble. It features hundreds of handcrafted materials Black Hills State Park is one of them. Nearly 1,500 magnificent bison including carved woodwork and marble, special cast brass wander the park’s 71,000 acres (28,400 ha), which they share and hand-laid stone. Costing approximately $1 million to with swift pronghorn, shy elk, sure-footed mountain goats build, the current estimated value of the South Dakota and a band of curious burros. Slender granite formations Capitol is nearly $58 million. Restoration of the Capitol called dominate the skyline and grassy meadows fill building to its original 1910 appearance began in 1977 and the valleys. Amidst pure nature, you’re free to explore via was basically completed by 1989, in time for South Dakota’s trail rides, scenic drives, mountain bikes, paddle-boats, hay Centennial Celebration. The ceilings, wall designs, color rides and safari tours. Four lodges in the park provide beautiful schemes, window treatments and carpeted areas throughout accommodations for a great night’s sleep. the building were part of the restoration project. Features such as marble staircases, Victorian leaded glass, terrazzo floor and www.custerstatepark.info scagliola columns give the building its stately character. www.state.sd.us/boa/tours.htm

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Fort Sisseton Fort Sisseton serves as a colorful reminder of South Dakota’s State Historical Park frontier history. Situated in the rolling prairie hills of near Lake City northeastern South Dakota, the military outpost, originally known as Fort Wadsworth, was established in 1864 after the nearby Dakota Conflict in western Minnesota. The outpost Major Attractions became known as Fort Sisseton, named for a nearby tribe of Native Americans. Today, it is recognized as one of the nation’s best preserved frontier forts. The fort, including World’s Only The first Corn Palace was built in 1892 to celebrate the all 14 intact buildings, is listed on the National Register of Corn Palace harvest and stimulate economic growth in Mitchell. More Historical Places and now serves as a scenic State Park. Mitchell than 3,000 bushels of corn are used to create the murals that decorate the exterior of the Corn Palace. Redecoration of www.sdgfp.info/parks/regions/glaciallakes/fortsisseton.htm the Moorish-looking landmark begins each year in June with replacement of native grasses. In August, the old corn and grain sorghum or milo are replaced. The Corn Palace hosts a celebration each September as a grand finale to the harvest Falls Park Named after the falls of the Big Sioux River, Sioux Falls is with big-name entertainment, carnival rides, agriculture, exhibits, Sioux Falls South Dakota’s largest city. Falls Park showcases the city’s food booths, antique auto displays, flea markets and more. namesake with a visitor information center, five-story observation tower and hydroelectric plant-turned-café, as www.cornpalace.com well as several walking trails and an art gallery. The park, which displays its beautiful pink granite outcroppings throughout, is the former site of the Queen Bee Flour Mill, Redlin Art Center The Redlin Art Center is home to more than 150 original which was originally a seven-story building constructed in Watertown oil paintings by Terry Redlin, one of America’s most popular 1881 by R.F. Pettigrew. The mill was never successful and the artists. The surrounding Conservation Park is carefully building was used for a wide variety of things over the years. contoured to complement the graceful Egyptian-revival In 1956 a fire destroyed the building. architecture designed by the artist’s son. Wetlands and waterways provide an alluring habitat for wildlife. Visitors have plenty of room to stretch their legs on more than a mile of walking trails, or relax with a picnic at six small gazebos, Events For a complete listing of events, go to www.TravelSD.com. one large gazebo and the Redlin Pavilion. Fort Sisseton Held annually in early June (605) 448-5474 www.redlinart.com Historical Festival www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/GlacialLakes/FortSisseton.htm Laura Ingalls Held annually over three weekends in July. Wilder Pageant www.desmetpageant.org (605) 854-3383 Author Laura Ingalls Wilder homesteaded in De Smet, with The Little Town on Jazz Fest Held annually in late July. (605) 335-6101 the Prairie her pioneering family at the tender age of 12. The farming www.jazzfestsiouxfalls.com [email protected] De Smet community and surrounding prairie served as a setting for six of her much beloved “Little House” books. Laura wrote about Days of ‘76 Held annually in late July. (605) 578-1876 her family and pioneer life experiences late in her life, while www.deadwood.org [email protected] recalling her childhood memories. Today, De Smet celebrates Corn Palace Held annually in late July. (605) 996-3662 Laura’s life by preserving historic Ingalls sites. Every summer, Stampede www.cornpalacestampede.com actors portray pioneer life as experienced by Laura and her [email protected] family during the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant. Sturgis Held annually in early August. (605) 720-0800 www.discoverlaura.org Motorcycle Rally www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com [email protected] Buffalo Roundup Held annually in early October. (605) 255-4515 www.custerstatepark.info [email protected] Black Hills Powwow Held annually in early October. (605) 341-0925 www.blackhillspowwow.com 10 11

The Great Sioux Native American Museums, Nation Art Centers & Sites

South Dakota is home to the Great Sioux Nation, whose people call themselves “friends” in three dialects: Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota.

By the end of the 18th century, the Sioux Nation was at the height of its power, dominating the northern Plains. Their influence was wide-spread, covering the Dakotas and stretching into Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. The influx of settlers and depletion of the buffalo, however, led to dramatic changes in their lives.

The Sioux Nation has produced many wise and courageous leaders who are commemorated at sites throughout the state. , a Hunkpapa leader, helped defeat Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn. He’s buried on a Missouri River bluff near Mobridge. , an Oglala chief, was a respected warrior and statesman. The Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge bears his name. A mountain carving of Crazy Horse, the great Lakota leader, is in progress in the Black Hills as a tribute to all Native Americans. Akta Lakota Museum Cultural Indian Museum Artist Oscar Howe pioneered a new era in Native American Chamberlain Heritage Center of North America art with his abstract paintings portraying Dakota life and Pierre Crazy Horse Memorial spirituality. Many of his paintings are on display at the Dakota State Park Discovery Museum in Mitchell. Sturgis Dakota The Journey Museum Discovery Museum Rapid City More than 62,000 Native Americans still call South Dakota Buechel Memorial Mitchell home. Nine tribes of the Sioux Nation offer visitors opportunities Lakota Museum Sitting Bull to experience their heritage and cultures. Contact the St. Francis Dakotah Monument Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates at (605) 870-5144 to Prairie Museum Mobridge make arrangements to visit one of the tribes. Buffalo Aberdeen Interpretive Center Tatanka: Fort Pierre The Heritage Center Story of the Bison Pine Ridge Deadwood Center for Western Studies HVJ Lakota Visual Arts Center Sioux Falls Cultural Center at the Washington Eagle Butte Pavilion of Arts & Science Sioux Falls

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Tribal Contacts River Sioux Tribe PO Box 590 History Eagle Butte, SD 57625-0590 (605) 964-7812 Fax: (605) 964-7811 The Great Sioux Nation www.sioux.org [email protected] Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Visitor Etiquette PO Box 50 Fort Thompson, SD 57339-0050 In order to make your visit as enjoyable and respectful as (605) 245-2221 possible, the following briefly outlines some general rules of Fax: (605) 245-5470 thumb to follow when visiting Indian Country. Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe PO Box 283 Native American communities contain a diversity of tribal Flandreau, SD 57028-0283 (605) 997-3844 members who practice varying degrees of tradition. Fax: (605) 997-3878 Traditionalists expect tribal members and visitors alike to www.fsst.org conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of tribal [email protected] religion and ceremonies. With this in mind, it must be Lower Brule Sioux Tribe recognized that a code of conduct practiced at one community 187 Oyate Circle or event may not be appropriate at another. Lower Brule, SD 57548 (605) 473-5561 Fax: (605) 473-5606 Moral precepts in appropriate dress, speech and behavior, and The Fort Laramie Treaty of command of more than 200 On Dec. 29, 1890, as troops www.lbst.org adherence to them, are highly regarded at ceremonial events. 1868 created the Great Sioux men at the Battle of Little searched the Wounded Knee [email protected] Behaviors that are frowned upon include excessive questioning Reservation, which reached Big Horn in Montana. camp for weapons, a shot Oglala Sioux Tribe regarding ceremonial events, excessive talking or laughing, from the Missouri River west rang out, triggering the PO Box H demanding or sneaking photographs or sketches, demanding into the Big Horn Mountains The Land Act of March 1889 army massacre of roughly Pine Ridge, SD 57770-2070 (605) 867-5821 preferential seating or viewing of a ceremonial event. in Wyoming and south to established the six current 250 Lakota people. Fax: (605) 867-5659 reservations in South Dakota. www.lakotamall.com/oglalasiouxtribe the Platte River in Nebraska. An unkempt appearance is very offensive at a ceremonial Later that year, South Dakota The Indian Reorganization event, where many people wear their finest. Ragged jeans In 1874, an expedition led became a state. Act of 1934 recognized tribal Rosebud Tourism Sioux Tribe PO Box 1192 and especially high (short) shorts are also offensive at by Lt. Col. George A. Custer governments as sovereign Rosebud, SD 57555 ceremonial events, though they may be acceptable at other discovered gold in the Black In 1890, the Ghost Dance nations. (605) 856-2538 religion brought renewed hope Fax: (605) 856-4886 gatherings such as craft fairs and some powwows. Hills, touching off a rush of www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov/ to a portion of the Sioux In 1973, 200 armed members prospectors to the region. [email protected] The ancestors of today’s tribes left many artifacts and ruins Nation. Dancers believed of the American Indian behind. So should you by resisting the impulse to pick up The federal government tried the buffalo would return, Movement (AIM) seized the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe souvenirs. Native American remains and artifacts are to convince the Indians to white people would go away village of Wounded Knee PO Box 509 Agency Village, SD 57262 protected federally by the Native American Graves Protection sell the Black Hills in 1875. and ancestors who had died and occupied it for 71 days. (605) 698-3911 and Repatriation Act, which carries stiff penalties. When that failed, it ordered would come back to life. Fax: (605) 698-3708 all Indians living outside the Wounded Knee is now a www.scw.tc Courtesy Scott Jones, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe reservations to return to them After Sitting Bull’s death on National Historic Landmark. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe by January 1876 or be sent by Dec. 15, 1890, Big Foot and PO Box D force. Among those who refused his band headed for Pine Ridge In 1990, Gov. George S. Fort Yates, ND 58538 Mickelson and representatives (701) 854-8500 ext. 186 to follow the government to seek protection under Red Fax: (701) 854-7299 order were two groups led by Cloud. When they tried to on the state’s nine tribal www.standingrock.org Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. pass through the Badlands, governments declared a year of reconciliation. Yankton Sioux Tribe When Custer marched against the army stopped them at PO Box 248 them on June 25, 1876, they Wounded Knee Creek. Marty, SD 57361 killed him and his entire (605) 384-3804 or 384-3641 Fax: (605) 384-5687 14 www.yanktonsiouxtourism.com 15

Looking out the Grasses Window...

As your motorcoach rolls down South Dakota’s highways, members of your tour will be curious about some of the plants and animals they see. The following sections will help you identify the natural scenery covering South Dakota’s countryside.

Western State Symbols Wheatgrass Has a blue, waxy appearance and is common throughout Animal Coyote the state. It has stiff spiked flower clusters at the top of Green Bird Chinese ring-necked Big Bluestem a leafy stem. pheasant Needlegrass Has a blue or bronze cast in Has seeds that look like Dessert Kuchen the summer and commonly small needles with thread- grows 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Its like awns protruding from Flower Pasque three-pronged seed head the plant heads. resembles a turkey’s foot. Fish Walleye

Fossil Triceratops

Gemstone Fairburn agate

Insect Honey bee

Jewelry Black Hills gold

Mineral Rose quartz

Sport Rodeo

Tree Black Hills Spruce Buffalo Grass Switchgrass Has short curly leaves that Has a loose, many seeded look like buffalo hair. It head called a panicle. Its grows in mats that rarely blue color changes to a rusty reach higher than 5 inches tan in the fall. It grows 2 (12.7 cm) tall. to 5 feet (.6 to 1.5 m) tall. 16 17

Wildflowers

Pasque Sego Lily Tufted Evening Is a small, lavender member Has flowers that are a creamy Primrose of the buttercup family and white with a touch of magenta Is a hardy perennial favoring is South Dakota’s state flower. Plains in the center. It’s found on dry buttes and clay banks, It grows wild throughout Pricklypear hillsides and dry, open areas. Small earning it the nickname the state, and its blooming Soapweed gumbo-lily. Its large white is one of the first signs of Cactus has flat, bristly stems. flowers turn pink and wilt spring in South Dakota. Its blossoms are large and Has a rigid stalk rising from in less than a day. waxy, usually yellow with a cluster of sharp leaves at its red in the center. base. It is commonly called yucca and its root was used by Plains Indians as soap.

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Crops

Rye Is a cereal crop with long slender seed clusters with Flaxseed sweeping bristles. It’s used Contains linseed oil, an primarily as livestock feed. extract used in paints and South Dakota is one of the Alfalfa varnishes. The remaining is nation’s top rye producers. Is a member of the pea family. used to make livestock meal. Its leaves are compound, Flax plants have small blue Sunflowers each consisting of three or white flowers. leaflets and clusters of small Grow on a rough stem and purple flowers. South Dakota are easily recognized by their farmers harvest it as hay. bright yellow petals and brown centers. They produce edible seeds that are rich in oil.

Wheat Soybeans Is a major cash crop for Oats Are processed mostly for South Dakota farmers who Are characterized by slender their oil. The leftover beans grow spring, winter and stalks topped by thin branches are made into food for durum varieties. When Corn (spikelets) that spread from livestock. Much of the plant young, wheat looks like Often reaches 7 feet (2 m) all sides. The oat grain grows is covered with fine brown grass. As it matures, its tall and bears kernels on its at the end of these spikelets. or gray hair, its flowers are clusters of bearded kernels large ears. It is generally grown white or purple. turn golden brown. east of the Missouri River. 20 21

Wildlife

Bison Are commonly referred to White-tail & Populate virtually the entire as buffalo and can weigh up Mule Deer state. They feed on leaves, to 2,000 pounds (900 kg) twigs, tree branches and grass and run 30 mph (48 km). throughout South Dakota. These gregarious animals have humped backs, shaggy Bighorn Sheep Can be found in small manes and short, curved numbers in the Black Hills. horns. Buffalo can be seen They have gray or brownish in the Sage Creek Wilderness coats, and the males have Area in Badlands National spiral-shaped horns. They Park, Custer State Park, Wind prefer mountainous terrain, Cave National Park, Native such as that found in Custer American reservations and State Park. private ranches throughout the state. Pheasants Are South Dakota’s state bird, and outnumber the Mountain Goats Are sure-footed animals residents nearly 50 to 1. The that live in the high granite male Chinese ring-necked outcroppings of the Black pheasant, called a rooster, Hills. They have shaggy can be identified by its white coats with black hooves variety of colors. The tail is and horns. Watch for mountain long and brown with black goats on Highway 244 on streaks, while the body the way to Mount Rushmore plumage is barred bright National Memorial. gold and brown with green, purple and white markings. Pronghorn Often called antelope, are The female, or hen, by contrast, graceful animals, run in herds is much less colorful, with and prefer open areas. They an all brown plumage. The have tan coats, white rumps Chinese ring-necked pheasant and bellies, black facial is also one of South Dakota’s markings and prong-like most popular game birds. horns. They routinely reach speeds of 60 mph (96 km). Prairie Dogs Look like fat, furry squirrels. Pronghorn can be seen all They live in central and across western South Dakota. western South Dakota in “towns” they create by Are very shy and tend Elk borrowing deep into the to spend their days in the ground. dense forest. Males grow large antlers, which they shed each winter. A mature elk weighs 500 to 1,000 pounds (255 to 450 kg). Look for elk in Custer State Park and . 22 23

Lewis & Clark Trail America commemorated the 200th anniversary of one of its greatest historical events, 2004-2006. In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their famous journey to explore the .

During their trek through present-day South Dakota, Lewis and Clark and the had many adventures. The highlights included their meetings with Yankton, Teton and Arikara tribes.

While traveling up the Missouri River, the expedition discovered many animals entirely new to science. The most amazing animals encountered were herds and herds of buffalo. They also discovered prairie dogs, or as Lewis called them, “barking squirrels.” The Corps was fascinated by the thousands of coyotes, mule deer, elk and pronghorn roaming the prairie.

Travelers can still experience the rugged prairie, just as the Corps of Discovery did so long ago. Visitors can see Spirit Mound, which the curious explorers climbed to investigate the fantastic stories that surrounded it. Area tribes believed that 18-inch (45 cm) tall spirits inhabited the hill. When the explorers reached the top of the hill, however, the spirits were nowhere to be found.

South Dakota’s Lewis and Clark Trail is a driving route following the Missouri River, roughly the same path the 1 Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Corps of Discovery took more than 200 years ago. Historical near McCook Lake and cultural stops along the trail bring the expedition’s 2 I-29 Information Center near story to life. Junction City 3 Lewis and Clark Recreation Area Welcome Center near Yankton 4 Running Water, Neb. near Springfield, SD 5 Fort Randall Dam Visitor Center in Pickstown 9 Farm Island Recreation Area near Pierre 6 Snake Creek Recreational Area Welcome Area 10 La Framboise Island in Pierre 7 Lewis & Clark Information Center 11 West Whitlock Recreation Area at Chamberlain near Gettysburg 8 West Bend Recreation Area 12 Indian Memorial Recreation Area southeast of Pierre near Mobridge

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Lewis & Clark Lewis & Clark Background Fun Facts

The expedition carried At age 19, Pvt. George , a , thousands of pounds of Shannon was the youngest and her husband, Toussaint equipment and supplies member of the party. Charbonneau, were added including waterproof lead to the expedition’s roster canisters for gun powder, Clark’s servant, , was during the winter of 1804-05 cooking utensils, ink powder, the first black man many of at . Their infant mosquito netting and gifts the Native American tribes son, Jean Baptiste (born for the Native Americans. had ever seen. Feb. 11, 1805), made the trip to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis served as the The party included Lewis’ dog, expedition’s medical expert. , a Newfoundland. After the expedition, Clark His qualifications were the spent many years in charge training he had received from During their many councils of relations with the Native his mother, an amateur with Native Americans, American tribes west of the physician, and hasty instruction Lewis and Clark often shot Mississippi River. The Indians from Dr. Benjamin Rush, the air gun as a way to called St. Louis, his headquarters, the nation’s most celebrated impress the tribes. “Red Head’s Town.” The Lewis and Clark expedition was charged with exploring physician at the time. Pvt. John Newman was At age 6, Sacagawea’s son, the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase, seeking a route to The expedition leaders were expelled from the party while Jean Baptiste, went to live the Pacific Ocean and making peaceful contact with Native referred to as captains in the in present-day South Dakota. with Clark in St. Louis. Americans they met. U.S. Army. However, Clark was not an official captain, Sgt. was the After the expedition, Lewis had the idea for a scientific expedition such a fact concealed from the only member of the expedition served as of Louisiana as the Corps of Discovery long before he became president. members of the expedition. who died during the journey. Territory. He died by his The likely cause of his death own hand in 1809. The expedition left Wood River, IL., (north of St. Louis, was appendicitis. mo.) May 14, 1804.

Transportation for the first leg of the journey included a 55 foot (16 m) keelboat and two pirogues (similar to canoes).

The party consisted of about 40 men who journeyed from Wood River to its winter camp at Fort Mandan, ND.

By journey’s end, Sept. 23, 1806 the expedition had covered more than 8,000 miles (12,880 km). It took them two years, four months and nine days.

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Aug. 25, 1804 Aug. 27 1804 Sept. 3, 1804 Sept. 7, 1804

Lewis & Clark Location: Spirit Mound, Approximate location: Approximate location: Approximate location: north of Vermillion Near Gavins Point Dam Bon Homme County Boyd County, Nebraska, timeline just across the river from Hike to Spirit Mound Council with Yankton Plums and pronghorn Charles Mix County, S.D. On a very hot day, several Sioux at Calumet Bluff The expedition passed the Aug. 22, 1804 members of the expedition, The party held its first meeting mouth of Plum Creek (probably Capturing a prairie dog including the two captains, with the Yankton Sioux at present-day Emmanuel Creek). The explorers discovered Approximate location: set out on foot for Spirit Calumet Bluff, near present-day Clark reported seeing great a four-acre town of prairie Southeast tip of South Dakota Mound. Local tribes believed Yankton. As the expedition quantities of “plumbs of a dogs, which they called the mound was inhabited by approached, the captains most delisious flavour.” He “barking squirrels” since Lewis almost poisoned 18-inch-tall spirits, armed ordered the prairie set on collected the seeds of three they’d never seen such an Clark’s journal entry noted with arrows. Clark wrote in fire to signal their arrival. kinds of plums to send to his animal. They poured five that Lewis “was near being his journal that York, his brother. Clark also noted barrels of water into one of poisoned” from working with servant, was “nearly exosted Clark described the Yankton they saw several wild “goats.” the many prairie dog holes minerals on shore. Clark with heat thurst and fatigue, camp in his Aug. 29 entry: Today, we know these without filling it up. However, thought one of the minerals he being fat and unaccustomed “the Sceouex Camps are animals as pronghorn (often they were able to force one might have been arsenic. to walk as fast as I went was handson of a Conic form mistakenly called antelope). prairie dog out with their That night, Lewis took a the Cause.” Covered with Buffalow Roabs water trick. dose of salts as a remedy. Painted different Colours and The mound’s only remarkable all Compact & hand Somly Clark’s description of the The captains ordered a vote characteristic, according arranged, covered all around prairie dog: “Those Animals to select a man to take over to Clark: “it is insulated or an orpen part in the Center are about the Size of a Small Sgt. Floyd’s duties. Patrick Seperated a considerable for the fire, with Buffalow roabs Squrel & thicker, the head Gass won the election with distance from any other, each Lodg has a place for much resembling a Squirel 19 votes. which is very unusial in the Cooking detached, the lodges in every respect, except the natural order or disposition contain 10 to 15 persons” ears which is Shorter...they Clark’s journal entry recorded of the hills.” have fine fur & the longer much “elk sign” this day. The two groups counciled hair is gray.” Later in the That’s how the South Dakota One proof the Indians gave Aug. 30 under an oak tree. expedition, Clark sent a town of Elk Point got its name. for the hill being inhabited That evening, they built live prairie dog to President by spirits was the large number three fires and celebrated Jefferson. of birds there. Clark’s into the night. The council Aug. 23, 1804 explanation: Strong prairie included several days of winds blew insects up against speech-making (on both Approximate location: the hill, and the birds gathered sides), exchange of gifts and Clay County to feed on the insects. smoking the peace pipe.

First buffalo killed From the top of Spirit Mound, Lewis and Clark decided to Joseph Fields shot a buffalo, the party saw a beautiful leave Mr. Dorion behind to the first killed by a member landscape: Plains extending work on negotiating a peace of the expedition. without interruption as far between the Yankton Sioux as the eye could see, and and other tribes. buffalo feeding in every direction.

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Sept. 16, 1804 Sept. 20, 2804 Sept. 22, 1804

Lewis & Clark Approximate location: Location: Big Bend of the Approximate location: Hughes timeline Near Chamberlain Missouri River County Time for a break Big Bend presents big detour Louiselle’s trading post After several days of rain, The expedition reached the The expedition passed a post the captains decided to stop Big Bend of the Missouri built by a Mr. Louiselle of St. Sept. 10, 1804 Sept. 11, 1804 Sept. 14, 1804 for a few days and dry out River, where the river makes Louis for the purpose of the baggage. They set up a huge loop. The captains trading with the Teton Sioux. Approximate location: (Approximate location: Approximate location: camp in a beautiful plain sent a man to measure the Gregory County Gregory County) Brule County surrounded with timber. distance on foot between the Around the fort, Clark saw They reported seeing great two ends of the loop; it was Indian lodges and fallen Uncovering a dinosaur The lost Shannon returns Description of a pronghorn quantities of fine plums, so only 2,000 yards (1,820 m) cottonwoods, a sign that The expedition found the Pvt. George Shannon Clark killed a “goat.” they called it Plum Camp. across. By water, that same horses had been feeding fossilized remains of an rejoined the expedition The animal was actually a On their return trip, they trip was 30 miles (48 km). on the bark. The next day, ancient plesiosaur, an after more than two weeks pronghorn, an animal native referred to it as Camp Pleasant. three Teton boys swam up aquatic dinosaur of the of being lost on the prairie. to this area. the campsite and told the Mesozoic era. The fossil Shannon had gone out to Clark noted that he “gave Sept. 21, 1804 captains about a large Teton measured about 45 feet locate two stray horses; and Lewis wrote a description of out a flannel Shirt to each band of about 80 lodges, (13 m) long. believing that he was behind this animal the group had man, & powder to those Approximate location: who were camped near the the keelboat, he hurried to never seen before: “it’s food who had expended theirs.” Hughes County mouth of the next river. catch up. As it turned out, is grass or herbs - it resorts he was actually ahead of the the open plains, is extremely Sinking Sandbar party. Shannon had run out fleet and never burrows or Sept. 17, 1804 The sandbar on which the of bullets for his gun and was takes shelter in the ground expedition had set up camp subsisting on grapes. Weak when pursued, I measured Approximate location: started giving way during and tired, he waited by the the leaps of one which I Near Chamberlain the early morning hours. shore for a trading boat to surprised in the plains on The sergeant on guard woke pick him up. That’s where the 17th Inst. and found Wildlife watching everyone in alarm. The party the expedition found him. them 21 feet the ground was Captain Lewis reported quickly packed; and as soon a little decending they appear seeing immense herds of as they shoved off, the river Clark wrote in his journal: to run with more ease and buffalo; he estimated there swallowed the campsite. “he (Shannon) had been to bound with greater agility were about 3,000. Lewis 12 days with out any thing than any anamall I ever saw. tried to sneak up on a herd In Lewis and Clark’s day, to eate but Grapes & one (they are extremely fleet-) of pronghorn, but they took the Missouri River was wide, Rabit, which he killed by this anamal is usually single off before he could get to them. shallow and full of sandbars. shooting a piece of hard seldom associating in any Today, a series of dams has Stick in place of a ball thus a considerable numbers.” He wrote: “I think I can changed its original character man had like to have Starved safely venture the asscertion in many places. to death in a land of Plenty that the speed of this animal for the want of Bulletes or is equal if not superior to that Something to kill his meat.” of the finest blooded courser.”

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Lewis & Clark Oct. 8, 1804 Oct. 13, 1804 Approximate location: Approximate location: timeline Corson County Campbell County Sojourn at an Arikara village Newman makes trouble The expedition stops at an Pvt. Newman is confined for Oct. 6, 1804 Arikara village; this one is “mutinous expressions.” The Sept. 25, 1804 inhabited. Clark reported charge, according to Lewis: Approximate location: that “Great numbers of “having uttered repeated Location: Mouth of the Bad Near Swan Creek in Spectators” lined the shores expressions of highly criminal River, Fort Pierre Walworth County to see them. The villagers and mutinous nature; the grew corn, tobacco and same having tendency not An abandoned village Encounter with Teton Sioux the next several days among beans. Lewis went ashore only to destroy every principle The expedition passed an Lewis and Clark met with the Teton, moving upstream, on a pirogue and returned of military discipline, but abandoned village of about three chiefs, Black Buffalo, bit-by-bit. On the evening of with a French trader who also to alienate the affections 80 Arikara lodges. Clark the Partisan and Buffalo Sept. 26, the Teton prepared lived with the tribe and who of the individuals composing described it: “80 neet Lodges Medicine, at the mouth a feast. They carried the proved useful as an interpreter. this Detachment to their covered with earth and of the Teton River (now captains on buffalo robes officers, and disaffect them picketed around, those loges known as the Bad River). (a sign of respect) to a large The next day, many of to the service for which they are Spicious of an Octagon tent, where they smoked a the Arikara visited the have been so sacredly and This was the expedition’s form as close together as peace pipe and watched the expedition’s campsite. Clark solemnly engaged.” first council with the Teton Teton dance by firelight. they can possibly be placed wrote: “many Came to view Sioux. After giving the and appear to have been us all day, much astonished Newman pleaded not guilty customary speeches and gifts, Clark wrote this description: inhabited last Spring, from at my black Servent, who A jury of his peers tried him the captains invited the “a large fire made in the the Canoes of Skins Mats did not lose the opportunity and sentenced him to 75 lashes chiefs aboard the keelboat. center, about 10 misitions buckets & found in the of his powers Strength &c&. and banishment from the But when Clark took the playing on tamberins. Long lodges.” This nation never Saw a party, which meant he had chiefs back to shore, three sticks with deer and goat black man before.” Clark to ride with the engages in young Teton grabbed hold Hoofs tied so as to make a also described the vessels the pirogues. This was the of the boat and wouldn’t let gingling noise and many the Arikara used to navigate last night the party camped go. It was a pivotal moment others of a similer kind, the river: “Many Canoes in present-day South Dakota as both sides drew arm. Chief those men began to Sing, of a Single Buffalow Skin on their trip to the coast. Black Buffalo moved to diffuse and Beet on the tamboren, made in the form of a Bowl the situation by ordering his the women came forward Carrying generally 3 and men to back off. Eventually, highly Deckerated in theire sometimes 5 & 6 men, those they allowed Clark to return way, with the Scalps and Canoes, ride the highest Waves.” to the keelboat and two of Trofies of war of ther father the chiefs went with him. Husbands Brothers or near Connection and proceeded Clark’s journal entry includes to Dance the war Dance Sources: this interesting statement: which they done with great “The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition,” John Bakeless, Editor “we discovered our interpreter Chearfullness until 12 o clock “The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition,” Gary E. Moulton, Editor do not Speak the language when we informed the Cheifs “,” Stephen E. Ambrose well.” The expedition spent that they must be fatigued.” Contact the South Dakota Office of Tourism for Lewis and Clark step-on guide information.

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De Smet is the setting for Fort Pierre is home to the Bear Butte, which some call six of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s oldest, continuously held the birthplace of the Sioux Did you know... pioneer adventure books. Fourth of July rodeo. and Cheyenne religions is an ancient volcanic laccolith, The last great frontier gold Sculptor Gutzon Borglum the hardened core of a rush occurred in South originally planned to volcano that never erupted. Dakota’s Black Hills after Lt. include a Hall of Records Col. George A. Custer’s 1874 behind his carving of the four “The Star Spangled Banner” expedition discovered gold faces on Mount Rushmore, was first used in an official along French Creek. but he never completed the capacity as part of the project. The Hall of Records evening retreat ceremony The most dramatic rise in was finished in 1998, as part at Fort Meade near Sturgis. temperature took place in of a 10-year redevelopment Spearfish on Jan 22, 1943. project at the mountain. The floor of the State Capitol The temperature rose 49 in Pierre is said to contain degrees in two minutes, rising EROS, the Earth Resources 66 blue tiles - one for each from 4 degrees below zero F Observation System Data of the 66 Italian artisans at 7:30 a.m. to 45 degrees Center near Sioux Falls, is who installed the floor in above zero F at 7:32 a.m. the world’s largest photo lab 1910. Only 55 of the blue devoted to processing photos tiles have ever been found. ’s Academy taken from space. Award-wining movie “Dances French-Canadian trappers With Wolves” was filmed Custer State Park in the labeled the harsh terrain of entirely in South Dakota. Black Hills is home to a herd the Badlands “les mauvaises of 1,500 free roaming bison. terres a raverser,” or “bad A point 23 miles (37 km) land to travel across.” north of Belle Fourche is The Black Hills of South the geographic center of the Dakota hold two national United States. A granite caves - Wind Cave National monument sits in the city Park and Jewel Cave of Belle Fourche. National Monument - and six privately-owned caves.

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famous Filming South Dakotans

in South Dakota Author Laura Ingalls Wilder, Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski Bob Barker, former “Price “Little House on the Prairie” devoted 35 years of his life to Is Right” host. books. the Crazy Horse mountain South Dakota is a state of many startling and beautiful National Treasure: carving, a memorial to the Gutzon Borglum sculpted contrasts, emphasizing the geographic division of the Book of Secrets Author Hamlin Garland, North American Indian. (His what has become to be known agricultural Midwest and the mountains of the rugged West. 2007 “A Son of the Middle family continues the work today.) as America’s Shrine to Border,” “A Daughter of Democracy, Mount Rushmore A number of productions have been filmed in South Dakota, Into the Wild the Middle Border.” Gladys Pyle, first Republican National Memorial. Though taking advantage of its amazing location variety. Here are a 2007 woman elected to the U.S. Senate. not a South Dakota native, few productions that were filmed in part in South Dakota: Athlete Billy Mills, a member Borglum’s vision of a mountain Hidalgo of the Oglala Sioux Native Hubert H. Humphrey, vice sculpture of national importance, 2002 American Tribe, is the only president under Lyndon Johnson. certainly had an immeasurable Native American, and first impact on South Dakota and Head of State American, to win an Olympic Harvey Dunn, famed its tourism industry. 2002 gold medal in the 10,000 meter prairie artist. run, which he achieved at Actress Cheryl Ladd, Armageddon the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. L. Frank Baum, author formerly of “Charlie’s Angels.” 1997 Mills’ time was 28 minutes, of “The Wizard of Oz.” 24.4 seconds. Actress Catherine Bach, Twister Benjamin Reifel, a member formerly of “Dukes of Hazzard.” 1995 Author Vine Deloria, Jr. of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, “Custer Died For Your Sins.” was the first Native American Tom Daschle, former U.S. Crazy Horse from South Dakota to serve Senator and senate minority 1995 Ole Rolvaag, author of in Congress. Reifel helped to leader. “Giants in the Earth” and keep Ellsworth Air Force Base Wyatt Earp “Peder Victorious.” open, helped to bring the EROS Terry Redlin, voted America’s 1993 Data Center to the state and most popular artist eight times. Sitting Bull, a Hunkpapa worked for better schools and Sioux, led the Indian army hospitals on Indian reservations. Peter Norbeck served as the Never Ending Story II state’s first South Dakota-born 1993 that defeated Lt. Col. George Custer at the Battle of Little George McGovern, U.S. Governor, served in the United Big Horn. Senator and 1972 Democratic State Senate and made a Thunderheart presidential candidate. number of contributions towards 1991 , an Oglala Sioux, South Dakota’s tourism fought at the Battle of Little Joe Robbie, former president industry. He contributed to Dances With Wolves Big Horn and was a respected and managing general partner the development of the Iron 1989 holy man. of the Miami Dolphins. Mountain Road and Needles Academy Award-winning, Highway in the Black Hills, this movie was filmed in its Tom Brokaw, former NBC Al Neuharth, president and brought Gutzon Borglum to entirety in South Dakota. anchorman. chief executive officer of South Dakota and contributed Gannett Corporation. to the development of Sylvan North by Northwest Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lake, Badlands National 1959 Sioux chief, fought at the Mary Hart, “Entertainment Park, Custer State Park, and Battle of Little Big Horn. Tonight” co-host. Wind Cave National Park. Crazy Horse never surrendered, never signed a treaty and Pat O’Brien, “Access 36 never went on the reservation. Hollywood” co-host. 37

A Bronc’s Legacy Tipperary was the bucking bronc infamous on the rodeo circuit for being un-rideable. For 10 years, the renegade horse Legends & Lore... took on the best of the rodeo world with his list of victims reading like a “Who’s Who” of rodeo riders. Tales of Tipperary’s vicious bucking and lightning speed spread throughout the West like wildfire. The legend grew so large that many cowboys As a rule, legendary gunman never sat with Deadman’s Hand refused to ride him. A handsome purse awaited the brave soul his back to the door. But that’s what he was doing on Aug. who could master the wild beast. Few did. Passing his prime, 2, 1876, when he was gunned down in a Deadwood saloon. Tipperary was retired to pasture near Buffalo. Today, the town Wild Bill never saw his killer, Jack McCall, because he was hosts what could be the only monument erected in honor of too absorbed in a poker game. But legend has it that he had a bucking bronc. It reads: “Tipperary - World’s Greatest both pistols out and cocked before his head hit the table. Bucking Horse - 1910-1932.” Wild Bill’s last hand - black aces and eights and the Jack of Diamonds - is now known as the “Deadman’s Hand.” Maiden’s Isle Years ago, the beautiful maiden Minnecotah lived on the After being convicted of the murder of Wild Bill Hickok, Jack McCall shores of Lake Kampeska. Many young men from her tribe “Crooked Nose” Jack McCall was sentenced to death. On the wanted her as a wife. But Minnecotah loved a hunter from morning of his execution in Yankton, Jack McCall casually another tribe. One day, she was told to choose a husband looked out over a throng of onlookers. As the Marshal drew from among her tribe. Minnecotah craftily said she’d marry the noose over his neck, Jack McCall’s last words were only, whoever could throw a stone furthest into the lake. The “Draw it tighter, Marshal.” Seconds later, Jack McCall died. young men threw rocks for days until an island formed. But because of the waves, they could never gauge which stone was one of the most notorious outlaws in history Jesse James’ went the furthest. The young men grew angry, put Minnecotah and tales of his prowess still live on in South Dakota’s historic Famous Leap on the island and left her there. One night, her beloved Palisades State Park. On Sept. 7, 1876, Jesse and Frank James, hunter returned, paddled to the island and stole her away along with seven other bandits, attempted to rob a Northfield, forever. The rock pile, Maiden’s Isle, still stands in Lake Minn., bank. That robbery proved to be one of the most daring Kampeska near Watertown. and least rewarding of Jesse James’ career. Two gang members were killed and all but Jesse and his brother, Frank, were captured by lawmen. With an avenging posse of nearly 500 Coffin Butte South of Scenic stands haunting Coffin Butte, all but men hot on their trail, Jesse and Frank headed southwest to inaccessible from the surrounding landscape. Its crumbling Dakota Territory. The two separated, each following one side 90-degree walls have seldom been scaled. Legend has it of Split Rock Creek. Suddenly, Jesse found himself facing a that 10 Indian boys, on the run from army soldiers, formed 15-foot-wide (4.5 m) gorge. Spurring his mount, he reportedly a human bridge and crossed the butte’s summit. The angry jumped the chasm and sped away. Folks still marvel at Jesse’s soldiers surrounded the area, but the Indian boys starved to daring feat at what is known as Devil’s Gulch near Garretson. death rather than surrender. In 1936, a troop of Boy Scouts Visitors may walk across a foot bridge that now spans the gap. set out to prove, or disprove, the legend. After reaching the summit with ladders, the scouts discovered a human skeleton. Even though Hunkpapa leader Sitting Bull was born and Sitting Bull’s Grave To this day, although no one knows if the tale is true, the died in South Dakota, he was buried at Fort Yates, N.D. In butte still bears the name of Coffin Butte. 1953, under the cover of night, a group of South Dakotans took Sitting Bull’s remains from a North Dakota cemetery and returned him to his rightful home. (They did so with the permission of Sitting Bull’s relatives.) To ensure the body wouldn’t be stolen back, the new grave was covered with a concrete block weighing 20 tons (1,820 metric tons.) A granite bust of Sitting Bull marks the grave site near Mobridge.

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John Philip Sousa “March King” John Philip Sousa was engaged to play for Mitchell’s 13th Annual Corn Palace Festival in 1904. Legends & Lore... Festival organizers sent a telegram to New York asking what the bandmaster’s fee would be for 12 performances. When The Homestake Mine In the spring of 1876 two brothers, Moses and Fred Manuel Sousa’s manager replied the fee would be $7,000, Mitchell discovered the Homestake Lead (pronounced “Leed”). This jumped at the deal. But Sousa himself was not so easily rich vein was eventually purchased by the Hearst family, and swayed. When he arrived in the city, he insisted on being by 1900, had become the largest and most famous of all the paid in cash before he would let his band members off the Black Hills mining operations. The mine, the deepest in the train. Sousa was paid, and his 12 concerts are now part of the world, has more than 500 miles (805 km) of tunnels from 150 great history of the World’s Only Corn Palace in Mitchell. feet (45.7 m) below the surface to more than 8,000 feet (2,438 m) deep. The mine, near Lead, closed in 2001. In 2006 the Mount Rushmore South Dakota historian first conceived the State of South Dakota purchased the mine. In 2007, the notion of historic rock carvings in the Black Hills in 1923. National Science Foundation designated the mine as the But Robinson’s original proposal to sculptor Gutzon Borglum official site for development of a Deep Underground Science suggested the statues of Western heroes such as , and Engineering Laboratory. The lab will be used to study Cody and Jed Smith be carved on the Needles. sub-atomic particles. Borglum liked the idea of the carvings but had even bigger plans. He wanted to carve something with more significance. The Lawrence In 1928, a new radio station called WNAX played host to a After much thought, the Western heroes became the four faces Welk Legend young musician who later would become one of the nation’s we know so well: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, most popular TV personalities. That year, the young accordionist Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. from Strasburg, N.D., arrived in Yankton with his novelty band. Hoping to restock their dwindling cash reserves, the “Sin and Gin” Charlie Utter is best known as the wagoneer who band sought out the local radio station and asked if they brought the most famous wagon train to Deadwood. Loaded might perform. After feeding the hungry group, the station’s down with supplies, Colorado Charlie picked up passengers in manager arranged to put them on the air. Listener reaction , then traveled to Cheyenne, Wyo., where he stopped was so great the manager offered to add the band to the long enough to pick up more than 37,000 pounds of flour and station’s roster of regular entertainers. The leader of the band several piano players, fiddlers, banjo pickers, gamblers, con-artists, realized, though the pay was sparse, the gig could help the brothel owners, dance hall girls and other “soiled doves.” By band attract better-paying bookings. That “brief stop” in the time that wagon reached Deadwood, Colorado Charlie’s Yankton lasted almost nine years. Thus began the illustrious passengers numbered 180, including the likes of career of the great Lawrence Welk. and Wild Bill Hickok. Today Colorado Charlie Utter is known for bringing the first batch of “sin and gin” to Deadwood. Little Fellow Every morning, as the train passed near Clark, a little boy would stand alongside the tracks, waving to the crew on board. The crew always waved back. A time came when, for three days, the little boy failed to greet the train. Learning of the little fellow’s sudden death, the railroad crew took time out each trip to stop and lay flowers on the boy’s grave, as conductor “Big Bill” Chambers bowed his head in prayer. Today, the friendship of the “Little Fellow” and the rail crew is still honored at an annual Memorial Day Celebration in Clark.

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Legends & Lore...

Deadwood Felines Before the railroad came to South Dakota, all freight was hauled to the Black Hills on wagons. One of the most famous freight wagons was filled to the brim with crates and crates of cats! In 1876, the city of Deadwood had no cats, and the dance hall girls and “working girls” of the town yearned for the fluffy little creatures as pets and mousers. Eyeing a potential gold mine in cats, mule skinner Phatty Thompson set off for Cheyenne, Wyo. Phatty paid youngsters of Cheyenne two bits for every cat they brought him. It wasn’t long before Phatty’s wagon was filled with 50 yowling, scratching passengers. Back in Deadwood, Phatty charged $10 a cat; $30 for the fat ones. Thirty minutes later, Phatty Thompson was without a cat to his name and $1,000 richer.

Grasshopper Strike They tormented the cattle and horses and ate the leaves off vegetables and the wood off pitchforks, rakes and hoes. They flew in swarms thick enough to choke a man. Beginning in 1874, an infestation of the worst kind plagued the plains of eastern South Dakota. Fighting the swarms of grasshoppers was beginning to look like an effort in futility when Father Pierre Boucher appealed to a higher authority to save the crops. The pastor led a pilgrimage on an 11-mile (18 km) trek from field to field. In each field a giant cross was erected to ward off the grasshoppers while people prayed for divine intervention to stop the horrible plague. Miraculously, their prayers were answered. The grasshoppers disappeared that very same day.

The Divorce Legend Sioux Falls was once the national spotlight, playing host to a number of affluent men and women. The townspeople of Sioux Falls did not welcome the recognition, however. In the early 1900s, Sioux Falls acquired the name “Divorce Colony.” Because of the ease of obtaining a divorce in South Dakota, the city became a popular stop for unhappy couples. State law required only that residents live in the state for six months before they could obtain a divorce. Easily accessible by rail, Sioux Falls rivaled the Reno, Nev., of today with as many as 145 divorces in a single year. In 1908, a bill extending the length of residency to one year became law, thus ending the era of “quick and easy” divorces in South Dakota.

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Who am I? True or False?

1. Mount Moriah Cemetery is the final resting place of gunman Wild Bill Hickok and the notorious Calamity Jane.

2. Badlands National Park shows the effects of 1 billion years of erosion.

3. Storybook Land is located in Brookings.

4. Crazy Horse, near Custer, is the world’s largest mountain carving in progress.

5. Meriwether Lewis’ dog, Seaman, accompanied the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804-1806

1. I grew up on the Rosebud 5. After living in a little 9. I am a former South 6. Vermillion is home to the National Music Museum. Reservation. In 1992, I played house on the prairie in De Dakota governor. In 1959, a medicine man in the movie Smet, I wrote a series of I was hired as the first 7. American Legion baseball was first conceived at a 1925 “Thunderheart.” Who am I? books describing my life. commissioner of the American convention in Milbank. Who am I? Football League. After my 2. While living near Wolsey, accomplishments in World 8. Oahe Dam, near Pierre, is the second-largest rolled-earth I launched the world’s largest 6. I am a former Miss South War II, Pres. Franklin dam in the world. mail-order catalog business. Dakota from Sioux Falls. Today, Roosevelt hung a Medal of Who am I? I co-host “Entertainment Honor around my neck. 9. Spearfish is home to a rodeo arena that was originally a duck pond. Tonight.” Who am I? Who am I? 3. During the 1800s, I lived 10. South Dakota is known as the pheasant capital of the world. in Aberdeen and operated 7. Saving the buffalo earned 10. I was voted “America’s At one time in the 1940s, pheasants outnumbered people a variety store and local me the title of “Buffalo King.” Most Popular Artist” for by 20 to 1. newspaper. Later, I wrote My grave is located near the several years running. I get “The Wizard of Oz.” Who am I? Oahe Dam in Pierre. Who much of my inspiration from am I? the Watertown area, where I 4. I shot Wild Bill Hickok grew up. Who am I? at Deadwood’s Saloon No. 8. I was born south of 10. Who am I? Manchester and grew up to be one of South Dakota’s most prominent artists. One of my most famous paintings is called “The Prairie Trail.”

Who am I?

5. TRUE 6. TRUE 7. TRUE 8. TRUE 9. FALSE, Clear Lake 10. TRUE 10. Lake Clear FALSE, 9. TRUE 8. TRUE 7. TRUE 6. TRUE 5. 5. Laura Ingalls Wilder 6. Mary Hart 7. Scotty Philip 8. Harvey Dunn 9. Joe Foss 10. Terry Redlin Terry 10. Foss Joe 9. Dunn Harvey 8. Philip Scotty 7. Hart Mary 6. Wilder Ingalls Laura 5.

1. TRUE 2. FALSE, 37 million years of erosion 3. FALSE, Aberdeen 4. TRUE TRUE 4. Aberdeen FALSE, 3. erosion of years million 37 FALSE, 2. TRUE 1. 1. Marvin Ted Thin Elk 2. Richard Warren Sears 3. L. Frank Baum 4. Jack “Crooked Nose” McCall McCall Nose” “Crooked Jack 4. Baum Frank L. 3. Sears Warren Richard 2. Elk Thin Ted Marvin 1.

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Driving Tours Length You’ll See Tunnels, Trails & Peter Norbeck Scenic 70 mi (112 km) Granite formations, Mount Rushmore Byway, Black Hills National Memorial Byways Scenic 20 mi (32 km) Waterfalls, lush vegetation Byway, Spearfish Wildlife Loop Road, 18 mi (28 km) Buffalo, burros, birds, and other wildlife Black Hills Tunnels Custer State Park Badlands Scenic Loop, 30 mi (48 km) Buttes, canyons, spires and wildlife Larger vehicles, such as buses, trucks and trailers, may not fit through some of the Highway 240 tunnels around Keystone and Sylvan Lake. Even if your vehicle meets the size limitations, watch your extension mirrors! The Black Hills Parkway, 104 mi (167 km) Pactola Reservoir and Black Hills Highway 385 Route Location Width Height Native American Scenic 455 mi (728 km) River overviews, wildlife, native grasses US 16A 6.5 mi (10.5 km) S of Keystone 13’4” (4.06 m) 12’4” (3.76 m) Byway, Hwys 37, 50 and 1806 US 16A 4 mi (6.4 km) S of Keystone 13’2” (4.01 m) 12’2” (3.71 m) US 16A 3 mi (4.8 km) S of Keystone 14’ (4.27 m) 12’9” (3.89 m) US 16A 1 mi (1.6 km) N of Keystone 47’ (14.32 m) 18’ (5.49 m) SD 87 6 mi (9.7 km) SE of Sylvan Lake 9’ (2.74 m) 12’3” (3.73 m) SD 87 2 mi (3.2 km) SE of Sylvan Lake 8’4” (2.54 m) 12’ (3.66 m) SD 87 1 mi (1.6 km) N of Sylvan Lake 10’6” (3.2 m) 10’7” (3.23 m)

Scenic Byways & Trails Recreation Trails Length You’ll See South Dakota’s scenic byways and trails offer perfect opportunities to slow down, enjoy the Adams Homestead 10 mi (16 km) Prairie, forest and Missouri River scenery and even stop to smell the wildflowers. The byways offer an escape from fast-paced Nature Area Trails highways, offering spectacular road-side scenery. Hiking and biking trails in state parks and recreation areas offer visitors the chance to get an up-close look at South Dakota’s natural Centennial Trail 111 mi (178 km) Mount Rushmore National Memorial, beauty. The following are some popular byways and trails in South Dakota. Passes within one mile lakes of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. George S. Mickelson Trail 109 mi (177 km) Mountains, meadows and wildlife Follows the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line. Fossil Exhibit Trail 1/4 mi (.4 km) Fossil replicas Badlands National Park Paved trail is handicapped accessible and offers an easy, educational hike. Custer State Park Trails 55 mi (88 km) Forests, wildlife and streams Established trails offer a variety of difficulty levels and scenery. 46 47

Information...

Aberdeen Convention Deadwood Chamber Lead Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau* and Visitors Bureau* 309 W. Main St, Suite A PO Box 75, 10 Railroad Ave. SW 767 Main St. Lead, SD 57754 Aberdeen, SD 57402 Deadwood, SD 57732 (605) 548-1100 (605) 225-2414 or 1-800-645-3851 (605) 578-1876 or 1-800-999-1876 (605) 584-2209 Fax (605) 225-3573 Fax (605) 578-2429 Fax www.leadmethere.org www.aberdeencvb.com www.deadwood.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Lemmon Area Chamber Belle Fourche Chamber Hill City Chamber of Commerce of Commerce of Commerce 100 Third St. W. 415 Fifth Ave. PO Box 253, 114 Main St. Lemmon, SD 57638 Belle Fourche, SD 57717 Hill City, SD 57745 (605) 374-5716 (605) 892-2676 or 1-888-345-5859 (605) 574-2368 or 1-800-888-1798 (605) 374-5789 Fax Fax (605) 892-4633 (605) 574-2055 Fax www.lemmonsd.com www.bellefourche.org www.hillcitysd.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Madison Area Chamber Brookings Convention Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau* of Commerce* PO Box 467, 315 S. Egan Ave. PO Box 431, 2308 Sixth St. E 801 S. Sixth St. Madison, SD 57042 Brookings, SD 57006 Hot Springs, SD 57747 (605) 256-2454 (605) 692-6125 or 1-800-699-6125 (605) 745-4140 or 1-800-325-6991 (605) 256-9606 Fax (605) 697-8109 Fax (605) 745-5849 Fax www.chamberofmadisonsd.com www.brookingssd.com www.hotsprings-sd.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Milbank Area Chamber Chamberlain-Oacoma Huron Chamber of Commerce* Chamber of Commerce/CVB and Visitors Bureau 100 E. Fourth Ave. 115 W. Lawler Ave. 15 Fourth St. S.W. Milbank, SD 57252 Chamberlain, SD 57325 Huron, SD 57350 (605) 432-6656 or 1-800-675-6656 (605) 734-4416 (605) 325-0000 or 1-800-487-6673 (605) 432-6507 Fax (605) 697-4418 Fax (605) 325-3821 Fax www.milbanksd.com www.chamberlainsd.org www.huronsd.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Corn Palace Convention Custer Chamber Keystone Chamber and Visitors Bureau of Commerce* of Commerce PO Box 1026, 601 N. Main St. 615 Washington St. PO Box 653, 110 Swanzey St. Mitchell, SD 57301 Custer, SD 57730 Keystone, SD 57751 (605) 996-6223 or 1-866-273-2676 (605) 673-2244 or 1-800-992-9818 (605) 666-4896 or 1-800-456-3345 (605) 996-8273 Fax (605) 673-3726 Fax (605) 666-4896 Fax www.cornpalace.com www.custersd.com www.keystonechamber.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 48 49

Information...

Mobridge Chamber Spearfish Chamber, Convention Watertown Convention of Commerce and Visitors Bureau and Visitors Bureau* 212 Main St. PO Box 550, 106. W. PO Box 1113 Mobridge, SD 57601 Spearfish, SD 57783 1200 33rd St. S.E., Suite 209 (605) 845-2387 (605) 642-2626 or 1-800-626-8013 Watertown, SD 57201 (605) 845-3223 Fax (605) 642-7310 Fax (605) 886-5814 or 1-800-658-4505 www.mobridge.org www.visitspearfish.travel (605) 886-5957 Fax [email protected] [email protected] www.watertownsd.com [email protected] Pierre Convention Sturgis Chamber and Visitors Bureau* of Commerce Winner Chamber PO Box 548, 800 W. Dakota PO Box 504, 2040 Junction Ave. of Commerce* Pierre, SD 57501 Sturgis, SD 57785 PO Box 268, 200 E. Third St. (605) 224-7361 or 1-800-962-2034 (605) 347-2556 Winner, SD 57580 (605) 224-6485 Fax (605) 347-6682 Fax (605) 842-1533 or 1-800-658-3079 www.pierrechamber.com www.sturgis-sd.org (605) 842-1512 Fax [email protected] [email protected] www.winnersd.org [email protected] Rapid City Convention Vermillion Chamber and Visitors Bureau* of Commerce Yankton Convention PO Box 747 906 E. Cherry St. and Visitors Bureau 444 Mount Rushmore Road N. Vermillion, SD 57069 PO Box 588, 803 E. Fourth St. Rapid City, SD 57709 (605) 634-5571 or 1-800-809-2071 Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 343-1744 or 1-800-487-3223 (605) 624-0094 Fax (605) 665-3636 or 1-800-888-1460 (605) 348-9217 Fax www.vermillionchamber.com (605) 665-7501 Fax www.visitrapidcity.com [email protected] www.yanktonsd.com [email protected] [email protected] Wall-Badlands Area Sioux Falls Convention Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau* PO Box 527, 501 Main St. PO Box 1425 Wall, SD 57790 * Step-on guides can be 200 N. Philips Ave., Suite 102 (605) 279-2665 or 1-888-852-9255 arranged with advanced Sioux Falls, SD 57101 (605) 279-2067 Fax notice. Some arranged through (605) 336-1620 or 1-800-333-2072 www.wall-badlands.com receptive operators. Some (605) 336-6499 Fax [email protected] charge a small fee for tours that www.siouxfallscvb.com do not stay overnight. [email protected]

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Regional Tourism Associations

Black Hills, Badlands Great Lakes of South & Lakes Association Dakota Association 1851 Discovery Circle PO Box 786 Rapid City, SD 57701 Pierre, SD 57501 (605) 355-3600 (605) 224-4617 or 1-888-386-4617 Available Fax: (605) 355-3601 Fax: (605) 224-4617 www.blackhillsbadlands.com www.sdgreatlakes.org Print Publications [email protected] [email protected] Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Glacial Lakes & Prairies Southeast South Dakota Group Tour Planning Guide Great Lakes Tourism Association Tourism Association PO Box 244, 1200 33rd St. S.E. 1101 Broadway, Suite 113 South Dakota Highway Map Glacial Lakes & Prairies Watertown, SD 57201-0244 Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 886-7305 or 1-800-244-8860 (605) 665-2435 or 1-888-353-7382 South Dakota Vacation Guide Southeast Fax: (605) 886-7935 Fax: (605) 665-8776 www.sdglaciallakes.com www.southeastsouthdakota.com Adventure Travel Guide [email protected] [email protected] Lewis & Clark Trail Guide Greenhorn’s Guide to Other Numbers Archeology & Paleontology The Great Sioux Nation Guide Road & weather conditions South Dakota Highway Patrol 511 (605) 773-3105 South Dakota Grasses, Wildflowers Snowmobile trail conditions Black Hills Central & Crops Brochure (seasonal) 1-800-445-3474 Reservations PO Box 523 Great Parks, Monuments & Memorials State Radio Dispatch Centers 68 Sherman St., Suite 206 Huron: (605) 353-7132 Deadwood, SD 57732 Pierre: (605) 773-3536 (605) 578-7000 or 1-800-529-0105 Rapid City: (605) 393-8121 (605) 578-7705 Fax Visit www.TourSDakota.com www.blackhillsvacations.com to download or order copies. [email protected]

2,000 documents printed by the South Dakota Office of Tourism at a cost of $1.20 per document. Printed in 2007 52 www.TravelSD.com