Rare Footage In The 1940s Shows South Dakota In A Completely Different Way
Isn’t old film the greatest thing since sliced bread? Whether it’s family videos, old-time documentaries, or historic interviews, film gives us a first-hand glimpse into the past that we may never have had otherwise, so when we find something this special, you know we have to share it! Since mining played such a huge role in the formation of South Dakota, we were thrilled to find this actual footage from a working mine:
Before watching the film, a brief history lesson: In 1874 -- nearly 15 years before entering the Union -- General George Armstrong Custer discovered gold in the area, which in turn started the infamous Black Hills Gold Rush.
Though the Sioux owned the land in which the gold was found, they were forced off of it, resulting in a bloody war that they eventually lost. Mines were allowed to open and mining families to move in from all parts of the country.
While it was open, the Homestake Mine would uncover tens of millions of dollars worth of gold each year.
Despite its 41 million ounces of gold and 9 million ounces of silver over its lifetime, the Homestake Mine is now home to the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory, the deepest underground laboratory in the country that conducts numerous science experiments.
