In 1803, South Dakota was an unmarked portion of wilderness ceded
by France to the U.S. for 15 million dollars (about three cents an
acre) in the Louisiana Purchase. President Thomas Jefferson, hoping
to find the Northwest Passage--a waterway that could serve as a
trade route with the Orient by connecting the West with the Pacific
Ocean--commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition.
In addition to finding the Northwest Passage and exploring
America's new territory, the expedition was asked to discover all
they could about the Indians living in the area. Heavily laden with
trading goods such as glass beads and cooking kettles, the duo set
out with Sacagawea and 30 others on an exploration that passed
through South Dakota traversing the muddy Missouri River. Along the
way, the two explorers met and traded with Indian tribes and learned
about Indian cultures.
Today, the state preserves its past and monuments dedicated to
the adventures of the two explorers. Highways 1804 and 1806 snake
along the Missouri River roughly following the aquatic highway that
transported the Corps of Discovery through South Dakota.
But South Dakota's history isn't limited to the explorers that
passed through, it is also deeply rooted in the traditions of the
Native American population that originally inhabited the area.
Today, over 50,000 Native Americans live in the state, and multiple
reservations share South Dakota's terrain with sprawling farmlands.
The proud history of the Sioux Nation has permeated the state and
can be experienced at museums like the Akta Lakota Museum, while
even more ancient history can be found at the Mitchell Prehistoric
Indian Village archeological site.
As fascinating as the first inhabitants and the subsequent
explorers is the region's natural landscape. The western portion
harbors the massive Black Hills and the protruding spires and buttes
of the Badlands National Park. Through the center of the state runs
the Missouri River and various dams and manmade lakes offering
endless spots for fishing and water sports. The eastern portion of
the state is characterized by the wide-open prairies that shaped
frontier history.
The spirit of adventure has not left the state and along the way
inhabitants have sought to challenge the physical landscape and
re-shape its facade to reflect their heritage. Chiseled in the walls
of the Black Hills is the famous Mt. Rushmore, depicting the faces
of four American presidents. And only a few miles away, a tribute to
Native American culture is emerging in the form of the Crazy Horse
Memorial.
South Dakota offers the visitor an opportunity to reconnect with
the history that shaped the West. The historic landmarks, natural
wonders, and diverse population make South Dakota a perfect retreat
for any visitor.
