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History and Heritage

Archaeology and Paleontology The world's most famous dinosaur -- "Sue", the gigantic T-rex at Chicago's Field Museum -- was discovered in South Dakota. Our Badlands National Park contains some of the world's richest Oligocene fossil beds, and archaeological sites across the state offer clues about early societies.
Three Hundred Years of History South Dakota's history reads like an adventure story. It's a tale of Plains Indians, explorers and pioneers. And it features names like Crazy Horse, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lewis and Clark, and Wild Bill Hickok. Review a timeline of three hundred years of South Dakota history.
Native Americans South Dakota is home of the great Sioux Nation. This nation traces its roots to the "Oceti Sakowin" or "Seven Council Fires." Each of the allied bands within this nation spoke one of three different dialects. The Santee spoke Dakota; the Yankton, Nakota; and the Teton, Lakota.
Prairie Pioneers The Homestead Act passed by Congress in 1862 provided for the initial settlement of present-day South Dakota. A typical 160-acre farm cost about $18. A settler had to homestead the land for five years.