From back when South Dakota was still part of just one big Dakota territory, to the gold and land rush, to the early days of the cities and towns we know and live in today – these rare, vintage photographs from up to over a century ago will pull you right back into history and provide a fascinating look at the story of this state.
- 6th and Main Street, Rapid City, SD, 1912
Library of Congress/Wikimedia
- Hillside view of Deadwood, SD, 1876
NARA/Wikimedia
- Bridge over the Missouri River, 1940
upnorthmemories/Flickr
- An incomplete Mt Rushmore, undated image
simpleinsomnia/Flickr
- Marked photograph of downtown Aberdeen, SD, 1910
Library of Congress/Wikimedia
- “Bee Hive Co.” clothing store showroom, Sioux Falls, SD, 1910
NARA/Wikimedia
- Freight team entering Custer, SD, 1876
Wikimedia
- Wells Fargo Express Co. Deadwood Treasure Wagon and guards with $250,000 gold bullion from Homestake Mine, Deadwood, SD, 1890
Library of Congress/Wikimedia
- Main Street, Bison, SD, 1915
Wikimedia
- Homestake Mine, Lead, SD, 1900
Library of Congress/Wikimedia
Even though we can’t go back there ourselves, photographs are the next best thing to sort of experience what it was like. It’s amazing that there are so many old photographs of South Dakota still around today so we can see them ourselves. Here are some other awesome vintage views into the earliest days of the state.
Library of Congress/Wikimedia
NARA/Wikimedia
upnorthmemories/Flickr
simpleinsomnia/Flickr
Wikimedia
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