South Dakota From A to Z

A is for Agriculture A is for Agriculture Wheat Soybeans Sunflowers South Dakota's agriculture is very diverse. Corn is South Dakota’s main crop. Corn makes ethanol, there are four ethanol plants in South Dakota right now. In 1997, South Dakota had over 44 million acres in production.                                                                                                 Corn Soybeans Sunflowers

B is for Black Hills B is for Black Hills The Black Hills are situated in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. On the slopes of the Black Hills are heavy stands of timber, mainly conifers. It is about 6,000 sq. miles with an average elevation of 4,000 feet.

C is for Corn Palace C is for Corn Palace The Corn Palace was built to attract people to the richness of soil. It was built in 1892. It is decorated with bushels of native corn, grain, and grasses.

D is for Dakota Dome The Dakota Dome is located in Vermillion. It is home to the University of South Dakota Coyotes. It was opened in 1979 and is 145,000 square feet.

E is for Elk Point E is for Elk Point Located in the southeast corner of South Dakota, Elk Point is a town full of history. A long time ago the U.S. Army ran a westward supply line over 100 miles from Sioux City to Fort Randall. This ran close to where the town presently sits. William Clark reported in his journal that the Missouri River “bends to the East” and that there was a “Great deal of Elk sign”, they then made camp.

F is for Falls The Falls were created about 14,000 years ago. Explores staked claim in Sioux Falls in 1857, because of the Falls beauty. Today, Falls park has been improved so it is a safe and inviting place.

G is for Gold G is for Gold Gold was found in the Black hills in 1848. Gold is mined in many different ways; such as panning in streams or rivers, or by using dynamite. It is now rare to find gold, because most of it has been removed from the mines. Gold is a nonrenewable resource.

H is for the Honeybee H is for the Honeybee A strong, healthy honey bee colony may contain between 50,000 & 60,000 bees. Workers feed the queen and larvae, guard the hive entrance, and help to keep the hive cool by fanning their wings. The queen is the largest bee in the colony. The Honey Bee’s wings stroke 11,400 times per minute, which makes their distinctive buzz.

I is for Interior “Heart of the Badlands” Interior is a small town located in the “Heart of the Badlands.” It was originally located along the Big White River until the railroad came through. The town was moved west of the river, where it is now.

J is for Jewel Cave J is for Jewel Cave Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world. It is a 122 miles long and is a national monument. There are tours that run through the cave.

K is for Kuchen K is for Kuchen Kuchen is a very tasty dessert with crusty dough and custard filling. It is the state dessert. There are many recipes for Kuchun. Fruit is usually found in Kuchen, but cheese and sugar can be used too. It is a any time food most commonly thought of as a dessert.

L is for Lakota Indians L is for Lakota Indians The Lakota Sioux Indians, also known as the Sioux Indians, were buffalo hunters. They traveled together in search of game. The clothing was decorated with paint, beads, fringe, and animal bones. The Lakota moved into the Dakotas in 1825.

M is for Mt. Rushmore M is for Mount Rushmore The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located 23 miles SW of Rapid City. Four American Presidents stand 5,500 ft. above sea level. The presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum began in 1927. It took 14 years and $1 million dollars to finish.

N is for Needles Highway The name comes from the incredible rock formation that looks like needles. It is in Custer State Park. Scovel Johnson built the Needles Highway.

O is for the Oahe Dam O is for Oahe Dam The Oahe Dam is 242 ft. high and 9,360 ft. long. It is located on the Missouri River and was built between 1948-1963 by the United States. The reservoir impounded by the dam extends c.250 miles upstream and has one of the largest reservoir capacities in the United States.

P is for Pheasant P is for Pheasant Chinese Ringneck Pheasant's came from Asia in 1857. Some people eat pheasants. Pheasants eat seeds, berries, and insects. They are hunted in the Dakotas and Canada.

Q is for the Queen Bee Mill Q is for Queen Bee Mill Q is for the Queen Bee Mill It is located in Sioux Falls at Falls Park It was a seven story flour mill that was built in 1881. It burned down January 30, 1969. The remains are still there today.

R is for Rose Quartz R is for Rose Quartz Rose Quartz is a pink gem. It is mined in the southern Black Hills. It was discovered in the late 1800’s near Custer. Rose Quartz is used to make jewelry such as necklaces, rings, diamonds, and earrings.

S is for South Dakota State Fair The South Dakota State Fair is held in Huron, South Dakota. It has a huge agricultural section. It has lots of rides, exhibits, live entertainment, concession stands, and much more.

T is for Terry Redlin Art Center The art center is visible for miles. Fun shows for the entire family. There are 100 original paintings by Terry Redlin. Terry Redlin is one of the most popular artist in the country.

U is for “Under God the People Rule” “Under God the People Rule” is South Dakota state motto. It is written on the state seal. The seal was adopted in 1885, four years before the state was admitted. The seal shows the state’s diversity.

V is for Vermillion The Shrine Music Museum is in Vermillion and was founded in 1913. The museum has restored 6,000 American & European instruments. The museum is the only place in the world you can see an 18th century piano.

W is for Walleye W is for Walleye The Walleye is South Dakota’s state fish. It can grow up to 36 inches. They live in waters that are 39 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. They live in Central United States. Walleye are carnivorous. They breed in spring and early summer. They can be 15 pounds or more if in proper condition, and they can live up to 15 years

X is for Xcel Energy X is for Xcel Energy One of the major energy providers in South Dakota. They serve over 3.1 million electric customers. They also have 1.5 million gas customers in the West.

Y is for Yankton The land was settled in 1859. Yankton was the capital of the Dakota Territory from 1861-1883. Settlers often stopped here as they headed north and west into Dakota Territory. Yankton is known as the “Mother City of the Dakotas”

Z is for Zoos The Sioux Falls Zoo and Delbridge Museum has a collection of 200 biofacts in their museum. The Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown has over 400 mammals, reptiles, and birds from around the world.