These 15 Photos Of South Dakota From The Early 1900s Are Beyond Fascinating

It's easy to be nostalgic for a time long before we were alive, when things seemed simpler. While South Dakotans didn't have the distraction of cell phones and Internet, it was also a much harder life. Take a look at these 15 vintage photos taken in South Dakota in the early 1900s to see what it was like more than a century ago.

1. A Real Chuckwagon Dinner

This is what an authentic chuckwagon dinner looked like, during a cattle roundup.

2. Calamity Jane

This photo of Calamity Jane visiting Will Bill Hickok's grave was taken in 1903. She was later buried in the same cemetery.

3. Sturgis, Dakota Territory

Before the main drag of Sturgis was lined with motorcycles, it was apparently lined with teams of oxen.

4. Listening To President Roosevelt's Speech

During his speech in 1903, President Roosevelt told the people of Mitchell that, "It rests upon yourself to win success."

5. Freighting in 1892

Women did a lot more work than just cooking and cleaning. This South Dakota woman is using bullwhackers to keep the oxen team moving.

6. The Cheyenne People In 1890

This photo was taken at a grass dance gathering on the Cheyenne River Reservation, with the 8th U.S. Cavalry in attendance.

7. Hot Springs, 1890

The mineral baths in Hot Springs were already popular in 1890, but the town was tiny.

8. Before Taft Was President

This photograph shows William Howard Taft shaking hands during his presidential campaign in 1908.

9. The Last Deadwood Stagecoach

The stagecoach stopped running through Deadwood in 1887.

10. The Homestake Gold Mine

This is what the Homestake Gold Mine looked like in 1908, long before it became a tourist destination.

11. Branding Cattle

A tough job in any circumstance, this ranch looks pretty windblown.

12. Cowboys Roping A Bison

There were still a few bison left to rope, but this posed photo suggests that it wasn't anything like today's bison roundups.

13. Panning For Gold

The gold rush was winding down by the late 1800s, but a few men were still trying their luck.

14. Plowing With Steam

This tractor from 1907 got the job done using steam power!

15. Hunters And Bird Dogs

Here's something that will never change in South Dakota - hunters and their bird dogs! This photo was taken in 1906.

If you love South Dakota history, you'll definitely want to check out these vintage photos taken during the construction of Mount Rushmore National Monument.