What historical events happened in South Dakota?

South Dakota Historical Timeline

  • 1743: French explorers, the LaVerendrye brothers, claimed area for France.
  • 1750: Sioux tribes moved to Dakota.
  • 1794: Jean Baptiste Trudeau established a fur trading company.
  • 1803: The United States acquired the region from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

Who were the first settlers in South Dakota?

The French explorers Francois and Louis-Joseph de La Verendrye were the first Europeans to arrive in South Dakota in 1743. They claimed the land for France. Fur traders moved into the land to take advantage of the valuable fur trade with the local Native American tribes.

When was South Dakota first settled?

The first permanent American settlement was established at Fort Pierre by the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804. White settlement of the territory in the 1800s led to clashes with the Sioux, as some of the lands had been granted to the tribe by an earlier treaty.

Why did white settlers flock to South Dakota in 1874?

Despite being within Native American territory, and therefore off-limits, white Americans were increasingly interested in the gold-mining possibilities of the Black Hills. Prospectors found gold in 1874 near present-day Custer, South Dakota, but the deposit turned out to be small.

Who lived in South Dakota before the Lakota?

The region has been inhabited by Native Americans for almost 10,000 years. The Arikara arrived in the Black Hills by about 1500 A.D., followed by the Cheyenne, Crow, Kiowa, and Pawnee. However, when the Lakota arrived in the 18th century, they drove out the other tribes and claimed the land for themselves.

Did South Dakota ever have trees?

At Over 750 Years Old, Some Of The Oldest Trees In The Country Are Found In South Dakota.

What happened in Black Hills in 1874?

The Black Hills Expedition (1874) was led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer through modern day North and South Dakota. The U.S. government had instructed Custer to undertake the expedition with the objective of finding a suitable location for a new military fort.

What is the population of De Smet South Dakota?

The population was 1,089 at the 2010 census . Located in the area of South Dakota known as “East River” (east of the Missouri River, which diagonally divides the state), De Smet was platted by European Americans in 1880.

What is De Smet Texas known for?

By 1917, De Smet was a cow town, with many trains passing through every day carrying cattle to market. Currently a Christian and Missionary Alliance church, the building was originally the First Congregational Church of De Smet; one of the church’s builders was Charles Ingalls.

How did De Smet become a cow town?

In the mid 1880s, prairie fires and failures of crops after a three-year period of drought caused many settlers to relocate their farms and homesteads to easier areas. By 1917, De Smet was a cow town, with many trains passing through every day carrying cattle to market.

Is De Smet the Little Town on the Prairie?

Welcome to De Smet, SD! Come to experience our heritage as the Little Town on the Prairie. You’ll witness wide open spaces and enjoy an outdoor paradise. What you’ll find is a vibrant, modern LITTLE town, with friendly people and the same spirit of family, hospitality, integrity, and opportunism always found on the frontier.