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The Early Exploration
Rene- Robert Cavelier La Salle claimed for France all the land drained by the Mississippi River. South Dakota was part of this region. -
The La Venerdrye Brothers
The Laverendrye brothers, exploring for France, became the first white men to have proof that they were at South Dakota. They burried a lead plate on a hill near the Missouri River. -
The Sioux Indians
The Sioux Indians got pushed out of Minnesota by the Chippewa. The Sioux arrived at Missouri creates a long war in the Missouri Valley in central South Dakota. The war finally ends in 1794. -
First White Settlement
The first steamboat, the Yellowstone, paddles down the Missouri River. Trading flourishes along the river. The first white settlement in South Dakota starts here. -
Fort Wadsworth
The US Army establishes Fort Wadsworth to protect the new settlers in the region. -
Gold Fever
An expedition led by Lt. Col. George A. Custer finds gold in the Black Hills. By 1876, gold fever speads through the Hills. -
Statehood
South Dakota gets statehood. Pierre becomes a temporary capital. -
Mount Rushmore
A scluptor, Guzon Borglum, begins to work on Mount Rushmore National Memorial. He wants to carve the four presidents down to their waists, but he dies in 1941 before he was done. -
Crazy Horse
The first blast takes place on Crazy Horse Moutain carving in the Black Hills. -
Pierre
The temporary capital, Pierre, is still the capital.
