7 Things You Didn’t Know About The History Of South Dakota
Typically, South Dakota isn’t considered to be a weird or quirky state (a la Colorado; the Austin, Texas area; or all of California), but we have some pretty strange parts of our history that make us a little… err, unique? Take, for instance, these seven things you didn’t know about the history of South Dakota:
If you don't think of fossils when you think of the Badlands, think again, as this rocky area and its steep canyons are - as per the National Park service - home to "ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse and saber-toothed cats [that] once roamed here."
This one is dedicated to the out-of-staters who have only heard of Custer in their American history high school class.
One of the darkest stories to ever come out of SoDak was the murder of four Sioux Falls teens who were camping in nearby Gitchi Manitou, Iowa when they were ambushed and executed by the Fryer brothers. The three assailants kidnapped the only girl in the group and assaulted her, but she escaped and survived, later identifying and testifying against the trio who were sentenced to life in prison.
Despite this, the Chief - who signed both the Treaty of Fort Laramie and Treaty at Fort Sully - did have the state's first known grave marker erected for a Lakota chief (1934).
The original design included not only the president's heads, but down to their waists.
They may never strike it rich, but they're dedicated to giving it a shot.
Did you know that L. Frank Baum was originally from South Dakota? Or that his niece, who lived in a yellow brick house in Aberdeen, was the "real" Dorothy? Now you do.
Learn even more about SoDak’s history by clicking 7 Horrifying South Dakota Stories You Didn’t Learn About In History Class.
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