It’s easy to be nostalgic for a time long before we were alive, when things seemed simpler. While South Dakotans didn’t have the distraction of cell phones and Internet, it was also a much harder life. Take a look at these 15 vintage photos taken in South Dakota in the early 1900s to see what it was like more than a century ago.
- A Real Chuckwagon Dinner
Library of Congress This is what an authentic chuckwagon dinner looked like, during a cattle roundup.
- Calamity Jane
Library of Congress This photo of Calamity Jane visiting Will Bill Hickok’s grave was taken in 1903. She was later buried in the same cemetery.
- Sturgis, Dakota Territory
Library of Congress Before the main drag of Sturgis was lined with motorcycles, it was apparently lined with teams of oxen.
- Listening To President Roosevelt’s Speech
Library of Congress During his speech in 1903, President Roosevelt told the people of Mitchell that, “It rests upon yourself to win success.”
- Freighting in 1892
Library of Congress Women did a lot more work than just cooking and cleaning. This South Dakota woman is using bullwhackers to keep the oxen team moving.
- The Cheyenne People In 1890
Library of Congress This photo was taken at a grass dance gathering on the Cheyenne River Reservation, with the 8th U.S. Cavalry in attendance.
- Hot Springs, 1890
Library of Congress The mineral baths in Hot Springs were already popular in 1890, but the town was tiny.
- Before Taft Was President
Library of Congress This photograph shows William Howard Taft shaking hands during his presidential campaign in 1908.
- The Last Deadwood Stagecoach
Library of Congress The stagecoach stopped running through Deadwood in 1887.
- The Homestake Gold Mine
Library of Congress This is what the Homestake Gold Mine looked like in 1908, long before it became a tourist destination.
- Branding Cattle
Library of Congress A tough job in any circumstance, this ranch looks pretty windblown.
- Cowboys Roping A Bison
Library of Congress There were still a few bison left to rope, but this posed photo suggests that it wasn’t anything like today’s bison roundups.
- Panning For Gold
Library of Congress The gold rush was winding down by the late 1800s, but a few men were still trying their luck.
- Plowing With Steam
Library of Congress This tractor from 1907 got the job done using steam power!
- Hunters And Bird Dogs
Library of Congress Here’s something that will never change in South Dakota - hunters and their bird dogs! This photo was taken in 1906.
If you love South Dakota history, you’ll definitely want to check out these vintage photos taken during the construction of Mount Rushmore National Monument.
Library of Congress
This is what an authentic chuckwagon dinner looked like, during a cattle roundup.
This photo of Calamity Jane visiting Will Bill Hickok’s grave was taken in 1903. She was later buried in the same cemetery.
Before the main drag of Sturgis was lined with motorcycles, it was apparently lined with teams of oxen.
During his speech in 1903, President Roosevelt told the people of Mitchell that, “It rests upon yourself to win success.”
Women did a lot more work than just cooking and cleaning. This South Dakota woman is using bullwhackers to keep the oxen team moving.
This photo was taken at a grass dance gathering on the Cheyenne River Reservation, with the 8th U.S. Cavalry in attendance.
The mineral baths in Hot Springs were already popular in 1890, but the town was tiny.
This photograph shows William Howard Taft shaking hands during his presidential campaign in 1908.
The stagecoach stopped running through Deadwood in 1887.
This is what the Homestake Gold Mine looked like in 1908, long before it became a tourist destination.
A tough job in any circumstance, this ranch looks pretty windblown.
There were still a few bison left to rope, but this posed photo suggests that it wasn’t anything like today’s bison roundups.
The gold rush was winding down by the late 1800s, but a few men were still trying their luck.
This tractor from 1907 got the job done using steam power!
Here’s something that will never change in South Dakota - hunters and their bird dogs! This photo was taken in 1906.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
