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Press Releases - Marks of History

South Dakota has a rich history all its own, and we want to share it with state residents and visitors through the Marks of History series. This weekly series focuses on the history that has shaped South Dakota by highlighting many of the historical markers across the state. Each week brings a new marker, story and region of South Dakota.

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Marks of History
Marks of History: Faith, South Dakota	11/18/2009
Founded as the town at the end of the railroad, Faith was originally the hub of a South Dakota homestead boom from 1910-1920.
Marks of History: Fort Pierre, South Dakota	11/4/2009
Fort Pierre, the oldest continuous white settlement in South Dakota, was named after American fur trader Pierre Choteau Jr. of St. Louis, Mo.
Marks of History: Oahe Dam, Mission School and Chapel	10/28/2009
The Oahe Dam project was commissioned in 1944, and upon completion was the largest rolled-earth dam in the world. The reservoir is more than 200 miles in length and has in excess of 2,000 miles of shoreline.
Marks of History: Minuteman Missile Site	10/21/2009
During the Cold War era, South Dakota harbored 150 missile silos on its expansive western prairie. The destructive nuclear force acted as a deterrent to keep the peace for several decades.
Marks of History: Harvey Dunn	10/14/2009
Harvey Dunn was a famous American painter of western life, war scenes and portraits. The South Dakota native first studied art at State College in Brookings, S.D., before studying at the Art Institute in Chicago.
Marks of History: Yankton College	10/7/2009
Beginning in 1882, Yankton College became the first accredited college in the Dakota Territory. Classes were originally held in the Congregational Church, but were later moved to a small three-room building until the Middle Building was erected in 1883.
Marks of History: Stratosphere Bowl	9/30/2009
In the 1930’s, the Stratosphere Bowl was selected as a launching location for two helium-filled balloons. The first balloon launch, known as Explorer I, was in 1934. The second and more successful launch with Explorer II occurred in 1935.
Marks of History: Typical Sod House	9/16/2009
In the 1800’s, sod houses were the primary structure for homes on the Dakota prairie. The Dakota Territory began to offer free land to settlers who built dwellings and occupied the land for five years.
Marks of History: Mount Rushmore National Memorial	9/9/2009
The vision for Mount Rushmore National Memorial started with Doane Robinson, a South Dakota state historian, as a way to increase tourism to South Dakota.
Marks of History: Mellette House	8/26/2009
In 1885, the Dakota Territory was graced with the stately Mellette House. Arthur Calvin Mellette and his wife Margaret constructed the house for themselves and their four boys.