South Dakota

1. South Dakota is home to the world’s largest motorcycle rally: Every August, the small town of Sturgis hosts the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, attracting hundreds of thousands of bikers from all over the world. It’s a wild event filled with concerts, races, and biker culture.
2. Mount Rushmore was supposed to have full bodies: Originally, Mount Rushmore was designed to show the entire upper bodies of the presidents, but lack of funding led to just the heads being completed. Imagine how much bigger it would have been!
3. There’s a ghost town buried beneath a lake: The town of Oacoma was submerged when the Oahe Dam was built, creating Lake Oahe. Today, its remains lie underwater, and it’s considered a ghost town beneath the lake’s surface.
4. The world’s largest fossil bed is in South Dakota: The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs is the largest concentration of mammoth fossils in the world, and it’s still an active dig site where paleontologists continue to uncover ancient bones.

   

5. South Dakota is a UFO hotspot: In the town of Belle Fourche, UFO sightings have been reported frequently over the years, with locals and visitors spotting mysterious lights and flying objects in the night sky.
6. South Dakota has no state income tax: Unlike most states, South Dakota does not impose a state income tax.
7. The Crazy Horse Memorial has been under construction for over 70 years: The Crazy Horse Memorial, which will be the largest mountain carving in the world, has been under construction since 1948 and is still not finished. It’s expected to take many more decades to complete.

   

8. You can see petrified wood forests in South Dakota: The Petrified Wood Park in Lemmon features trees that have turned into stone over millions of years. It’s one of the largest collections of petrified wood in the world.

   

9. Wind Cave has some of the rarest cave formations on Earth: Wind Cave is known for its rare boxwork formations, which are only found in a few places in the world. These thin, honeycomb-like structures make it one of the most unique caves on the planet.

   

10. A giant concrete prairie dog stands guard in South Dakota: In the town of Philip, you’ll find a 12-foot-tall concrete prairie dog standing by the roadside. This quirky landmark has been a favorite for travelers looking for a fun photo op.

Famous Men

1. Sitting Bull (1831–1890): Born in the Dakota Territory, Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who is famous for his role in resisting U.S. government policies and for his victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn. He remains a symbol of Native American resistance.
2. Tom Brokaw (1940–): Born in Webster, South Dakota, Tom Brokaw is a well-known journalist and former anchor of NBC’s Nightly News. He is celebrated for his coverage of major historical events and for his book The Greatest Generation.
3. George McGovern (1922–2012): Born in Avon, South Dakota, George McGovern was a U.S. senator and the Democratic candidate for president in 1972. He is known for his opposition to the Vietnam War and his work on hunger issues.
4. Al Neuharth (1924–2013): Born in Eureka, South Dakota, Al Neuharth was the founder of USA Today, one of the most widely circulated newspapers in the U.S. He was a pioneer in modern journalism and media.
5. Adam Vinatieri (1972–): Born in Yankton, South Dakota, Adam Vinatieri is a former NFL kicker known for his clutch performances in Super Bowls. He is considered one of the greatest placekickers in football history.

Famous Women

1. Cheryl Ladd (1951–): Born in Huron, South Dakota, Cheryl Ladd is an actress and singer best known for her role as Kris Munroe on the television show Charlie’s Angels. She became a cultural icon in the 1970s.
2. January Jones (1978–): Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, January Jones is an actress known for her role as Betty Draper on the TV series Mad Men. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and several award nominations.
3. Gladys Pyle (1890–1989): Born in Huron, South Dakota, Gladys Pyle was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate without having previously been appointed. She served as a trailblazer for women in politics.
4. Mamie Van Doren (1931–): Born in Rowena, South Dakota, Mamie Van Doren is an actress, model, and singer, often recognized for her roles in 1950s and 1960s films. She became a sex symbol and appeared in several classic films of that era.
5. Leola Hall (1881–1930): Born in South Dakota, Leola Hall became one of the first women architects in California. She played an important role in early 20th-century architecture, designing homes and buildings in the Berkeley area.