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History of Sturgis, Deadwood, Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota Badlands

Things to do / Travel Guide

Native Americans in the Black Hills and South Dakota Badlands

The history of the Indian Tribes of South Dakota is shrouded in mystery. Little is known about the Native Americans of the region prior to the arrival of the Sioux Lakota. The Lakota arrived in the 17th century from the area of Minnesota and displaced the indigenous people. The Lakota Indians considered the Black Hills sacred ground and did not live there. The South Dakota Badlands were prime hunting grounds for the Lakota.


Arrival of American Settlement in the South Dakota Black Hills and Badlands

The Gold Rush of the 1870's and the arrival of homesteaders caused conflict with the Lakota, which led to signing of a treaty, which was not well respected. Bloody conflict took the lives of General Custer, Crazy Horse and many others continuing until the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. There is still a large Lakota population in this part of South Dakota.

In the past 130 years, gold mining and saloons gave way to ranching and lumber, which in turn gave way to tourism. And, the Bison are back

Historical Attractions in Sturgis, Deadwood, Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City and the South Dakota Badlands

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