South Dakota Heritage Tourism

I've opened with a black and white photo of Deadwood, the town in the Black Hills of South Dakota founded after the discovery of gold there in 1874 following a military expedition led by George A. Custer.

"Deadwood" recently was a highly touted television series - did you watch it?

Seven large Indian Reservations occupy huge chunks of South Dakota land, along with the Black Hills and the Badlands, of course. Agriculture has been a prime element of the state's economy which is now led by the service industry. Ellsworth Air Force base near Rapid City is the second-largest single employer in the state. Can you say "South Dakota" without Mount Rushmore coming to your mind? I can't. Come join us to learn more about this under-appreciated state.

Photo courtesy of WIkimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota

17th most extensive state; 5th lowest in population density

The Indian Reservations are shown in red. Green is used for the Black Hills, Badland, etc. The rivers and cities are also shown clearly on this map that was adapted from the 'National Atlas of the United States.'

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota

How many of her books have you read? ;-)

Author Laura Ingalls Wilder used her experiences growing up in De Smet, South Dakota for many of her books and stories... according to South Dakota sources, of course. Her daughter, also an author, Rose Wider Lane, was born near De Smet in 1886.

Photo courtesy of WIkimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota

I have a special feeling for Ellsworth Air Force Base because I spent my Air Force ROTC Summer Camp there in 1960... very fond memories, even survival training held in the Black Hills.

A lot has changed since then, of course - there was not a B-1B Lancer there when I was... I did get to ride on a KC-130 tanker refueling our SAC B-47 bombers, however! ;-)

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota

Wind Cave National Park was established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, the 7th in the national park system.

It was the first cave designated as a national park in the world.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota