RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Legislation was considered to split Dakota Territory east-west at the Missouri River instead of the current north-south split that was approved in 1889.

A retrospective released by the state of South Dakota on the 125th anniversary of statehood noted that the east-west proposal did have some support.

The East/West Dakota would have followed the Missouri River and aligned regions with similar geographic and cultural identities.

The north-south border decision was motivated partially by resentment between the northern and southern portions of Dakota Territory over the location of the state capital. In 1883, the territory’s capital was moved from Yankton to Bismarck.

Other reasons cited included separate railroad systems, economic ties to major eastern cities (Sioux Falls and Fargo) and the growth of separate systems of public institutions.

This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one.

Sources

State of South Dakota, 125th anniversary story

BigThink.com, East and West Dakota? Here’s What Those States Would Look Like

Medium, A Tale of Two States

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LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) -Nebraska softball defeated South Dakota 4-1 in the opening game of its first NCAA Regional at Bowlin Stadium since 2013.

South Dakota took an early 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Wahoo native Autumn Iverson hit a home run to left field that struck the scoreboard. The Coyotes started five players from Nebraska in their lineup.

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – As it gets closer to summer, more drivers will be on the road and the South Dakota Highway Patrol wants to remind drivers to stay vigilant behind the wheel.

With summer vacations, joy rides in the nice weather, and more drivers on the road, travel will be busier than usual.

On top of that, an increase in construction projects could cause delays and change traffic patterns.

All of this means drivers should stay alert when they are behind the wheel.

“With all of the traffic going on during the summer time during the road construction, we just want to remind people on the roadway to slow down, pay attention to the traffic signs, the construction workers, and the traffic ahead of them,” Trooper Tori Hurtig of the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

Also, reminding motorcyclists and drivers to remain aware of their surroundings.

“Be a proactive and defensive driver, so watch where you are going, watch where the other drivers are going, and also try and avoid any unnecessary corrective actions as well,” said Hurtig.

Highway Patrol also wants to remind people to wear seatbelts and, if driving a motorcycle, to wear a helmet.

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