South Dakota - Custer State Park, Legion Lake

Legion Lake - One of the delights of theLegion Lake area is paddling past the large granite boulders that form part of the dam for the lake, which was constructed in 1933.  The lake and adjoining cabins were named by the members of the American Legion who first managed the recreation area.  One of many attractive sights in Custer State Park, the lake offers good fishing, swimming and the nearby Badger Hole, home of the late South Dakota Poet Laureate Badger Clark.

This postcard is from 1974. 

South Dakota - Farm Scene with Barn and Silo

South Dakota
Photo by Chad Coppess
2014

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Agriculture has historically been an important part of the South Dakota economy. Although other industries have expanded rapidly in recent decades, agricultural production is still very important to the state's economy, especially in rural areas. The five most valuable agricultural products in South Dakota are cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hogs.

South Dakota - Badlands National Park, Vampire Peaks

Badlands National Park
The Vampire Peaks of South Dakota's Badlands spike jaggedly toward the sky, sculpted over hundreds of thousands of years by nature's most implacable tools: water, wind, and time.

Photo by Rushmore Photo and Gifts
2014

South Dakota - Badlands National Park - From: Scenic American Landscapes, USPS

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

These 244,000 fossil-rich acres of South Dakota were known to the Lakota as 'mako sica', "the badlands."  Today, scientists study this area, especially its yellow and red fossilized soils, to learn more about long-term changes in environment and climate.
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From a set of 'Scenic American Landscapes" stamped postcards from the United States Postal Service (USPS).

the back reads:
Share the pristine beauty of America's national parks with this set of 20 stamped cards.  Ten different designs showcase spectacular photographs originally featured on 'Scenic American Landscapes' stamps.  Postage included, so mailing is easy - or save them as a unique collectible set.
2010  

South Dakota - Black Hills, Buffalo, and Badlands

South Dakota
Where the Buffalo Roam - From the black Hills around Mount Rushmore, with their clear mountain lakes, to the rich prairie grasslands at the edges of the Badlands, today Bison abound in South Dakota!

Photos by Rushmore Photo & gifts, and doug Bowser
2011

South Dakota - Pierre, The Capitol

The Capitol
Pierre, South Dakota

The Hub of State Government in Pierre, SD is the capitol building, constructed on the banks of the Mighty Mo for the astronomical sum of one million dollars, and dedicated in 1910, more than 20 years after South Dakota became a state.

Photos by Mike Wolforth and Paul Niemann
2014

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The floor in the capitol building is made of terrazzo tile. The floor is said to have been laid by 66 Italian artists. To give these artists a chance to place a mark in the building (without allowing them to actually sign their names to the floor), each is said to have been given a blue stone to place in the floor. Only 55 of these tiles have been found, however. It is thought that the remaining stones may have been placed in locations now covered by walls, doors, or carpeting.

South Dakota - Map with State Seal, Wolf and Pheasant

South Dakota

Date of Statehood: November 2, 1889
Capital: Pierre
Population: 814,180 (2010)
Size: 77,116 square miles
Nickname: Mount Rushmore State
Motto: Under God, the People Rule
Tree: Black Hills Spruce
Flower: Pasque
Bird: Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant
Mammal: Coyote
Fish: Walleye
Insect: Honeybee
2014

South Dakota - Map, The Mount Rushmore State

South Dakota
The Mount Rushmore State

"Great Faces, Great Places" From the jewel-like mountain lakes of the Black Hills in the west; to the wheat fields and abundant pheasants of the east, South Dakota really DOES have some of the greatest places people and "critters" you've ever seen!
2014

South Dakota - Sturgis Motor Classic, Motorcycle Parade

Sturgis
Motor Classic

Legendary Sturgis
Hundreds of thousands of biking enthusiasts from all over the world make Sturgis their destination.  As the sun goes down, the Bike Parade begins.
Black Hills, South Dakota
2013

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The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, usually during the first full week of August. It began in the mid-20th century and was originally held for stunts and races, but has evolved into being a meeting for motorcycle enthusiasts from all over.

The first rally was held on August 14, 1938, by the "Jackpine Gypsies" motorcycle club, who still own and operate the tracks, hillclimb, and field areas where the rally is centered. The founder is generally considered to be Clarence "Pappy" Hoel. He purchased an Indian Motorcycle franchise in Sturgis in 1936 and formed the "Jackpine Gypsies" that same year.

South Dakota - Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial
World's largest mountain carving in progress
Black Hills of South Dakota

"My lands are where my dead lie buried." - Crazy Horse

Blasting continues on the largest sculpture in the world, which will look like the scale model when completed.  Crazy Horse's face was finished in 1998. SInce then work has focused on the horse's head.
2013

South Dakota - Badlands National Park

Did You Know?

Badlands of South Dakota
Badlands National Park is located in the White River Badlands and was called mako sica (mako, land and sica, bad) by the Sioux Indians.  The term badlands generally refers to an area that is difficult to travel through primarily because of the rugged terrain and lack of water.  The fascination landscape within the park erodes at a rate of about 1 inch per year, providing an ever-changing landscape.

The back of this postcard has a special postmark from Badlands National Park, Interior.
2013