page_title: Timeline of South Dakota
section_title: 1900s
hierarchical_section_title: Timeline of South Dakota / 1900s
caption_attribution_description: Construction at Mount Rushmore of George Washington's likeness.
context_page_description: This timeline of South Dakota is a list of events in the history of South Dakota by year.
context_section_description: 1901
  Northern Normal and Industrial School opens at Aberdeen.
  1903
  Wind Cave National Park is established on January 9.
  1904
  Opening of portion of Rosebud land brings unprecedented rush of homesteaders. One hundred and six thousand persons apply for right to enter lands.
  Mitchell contests with Pierre for state capital. Pierre for third time successful.
  1905
  Construction begins on the South Dakota State Capitol building in Pierre.
  1924
  The Meridian Highway Bridge connects Yankton with Nebraska and is the first permanent structure crossing the Missouri River.
  1927
  Gutzon and Lincoln Borglum begin work on Mount Rushmore National Memorial, completing the sculpture in 1941.
  1933
  An extremely strong dust storm strips topsoil.
  1934
  Shelterbelts of trees are established in East River to reduce erosion from dust storms.
  1935
  Flandreau Indian Reservation established per the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.
  1936
  Following a severely cold winter, a severe summer heat wave hits South Dakota.
  1938
  Motorcycle enthusiasts convene at the first Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
  1946
  Work begins on the Fort Randall Dam.
  1948
  Work begins on the Oahe Dam.
  Korczak Ziolkowski begins sculpting Crazy Horse Memorial.
  1952
  Work begins on the Gavins Point Dam.
  Late 1950s
  Interstate 90 is dedicated along the South Dakota-Minnesota border.
  1959
  Work begins on the Big Bend Dam.
  1961
  Interstate 29 extends into South Dakota from Iowa. The interstate highway is connected to Fargo during the 1960s.
  1972
  Rapid Creek floods, killing 238 people in Rapid City.
  1973
  Between February 27 and May 8, 200 Oglala Lakota and followers of the American Indian Movement occupy Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
  1978
  Badlands National Park is established on November 10.
  1980
  Significant abandonment of unprofitable rail lines in the state occurs.
  1981
  Citibank moves its credit card operations from New York City to Sioux Falls, leading to significant expansion of the financial industry in the state.
  1988
  A severe drought and dust storm closes schools across the state.
caption: Construction of the Mount Rushmore monument
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