Dakota Territory Collection

Building the railroad to Bismarck, North Dakota, 1870s
Laying railroad track in winter across the Missouri River at Bismarck, North Dakota, 1879. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Black Hills, South Dakota
Black Hills with lingering snow, sacred area of the Sioux, South Dakota. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Portrait of Sitting Bull with Calumet, 1885 (albumen print)
2630178 Portrait of Sitting Bull with Calumet, 1885 (albumen print) by Goff, Orlando Scott (1843-1917); Private Collection; (add.info.: Portrait of Sitting Bull with a calumet)

The Bad Lands of White River (engraving)
3627877 The Bad Lands of White River (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Bad Lands of White River)

Ox teams at Sturgis, D. T. pub. 1887 - 1892 (photo)
3704798 Ox teams at Sturgis, D.T. pub.1887 - 1892 (photo) by Grabill, John C. H. (fl. late 19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; American, out of copyright

Homestead in Dakota Territory, 1800s
Homesteaders cabins marking their claims in the Red River Valley, North Dakota, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Steam plow on a Dakota farm, 1890s
Farmer using a steam plow in the Dakotas, 1890s. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of a 19th-century illustration

Russian emigrants to the USA, 1800s
Mennonite immigrants from Russia arriving in New York for journey to Dakota Territory, 1873. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Black Hills gold rush, South Dakota, 1870s
Deadwood City during the Black Hills gold rush, 1870s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Settlers preparing their prairie homestead for winter
Banking a prairie farm with sod for the winter in Dakota Territory, 1880s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Fort Abraham Lincoln graveyard, North Dakota
Graves of soldiers who died of freezing or typhoid at Fort Abraham Lincoln, North Dakota, 1870s. Photograph

Fort McKeen blockhouse, aka Fort Abraham Lincoln, North Dakota
Fort McKeen blockhouse replica, renamed Fort Abraham Lincoln, built during Indian Wars, North Dakota, 1870s. Photograph

Sioux Reservatioin opened to white settlers, 1890
New settlers homesteading on the Sioux Reservation, South Dakota, 1890. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Governor Church, Dakota Territory, Governors, Arms, Etc. series, N133-2
Governor Church, Dakota Territory, from " Governors, Arms, Etc." series (N133-2), issued by Duke Sons & Co. ca. 1888

Cattle Slaughtered For Indians
Dakota Territory: 1885 Cattle slaughtered for Indians on the reservation

Dakota Territory Gold Miners
Rockerville, Dakota Territory, 1889 Three gold miners with their dog, panning and washing for gold in a stream

AGRI2A-00119
Harvesting wheat on a Dakota bonanza farm, 1880s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Jedediah Smith route marker in the Black Hills
Jedediah Smiths route in 1823 through Buffalo Gap in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Photograph

PEXP2A-00116
James Butler Hickok, better known as Wild Bill Hickok. Hand-colored woodcut reproduction of a 19th century portrait

BUSN2A-00062
Fur-traders on the Missouri River attacked by Native Americans. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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"Dakota Territory: A Journey Through Time and Landscapes" Step back in time to the 1870s, when the ambitious project of building a railroad to Bismarck, North Dakota was underway. Witness the determination and perseverance of those who labored tirelessly to connect this remote region with the rest of the nation. Venture further south into South Dakota's Black Hills, where tales of gold rush fever echo through history. Feel the excitement that gripped prospectors as they flocked to these rugged hills in search of fortune and adventure. In an iconic portrait captured in 1885, Sitting Bull stands tall with his Calumet pipe held high. This powerful image immortalizes a legendary figure whose leadership inspired many during challenging times. Travel westward towards White River's Bad Lands, where nature reveals its raw beauty amidst enchanting landscapes. An engraving captures this untamed wilderness, inviting you to explore its mysterious allure. Witness scenes from everyday life on the plains - ox teams diligently plowing fields at Sturgis while homesteaders carve out their dreams in Dakota Territory during the 1800s. Marvel at steam plows revolutionizing farming practices as progress takes root on these fertile lands. The story unfolds beyond American shores as Russian emigrants seek new beginnings in America during this era. Their journey across oceans symbolizes hope for a better future and highlights the melting pot that shaped this great nation. Amidst all these tales lies Fort Abraham Lincoln graveyard - a solemn reminder of lives lost but not forgotten. Stand among weathered tombstones honoring those who served bravely within its walls; their sacrifice etched into history forevermore. Fort McKeen blockhouse, also known as Fort Abraham Lincoln, stands resolute against time's passage - a testament to frontier fortifications protecting settlers from potential threats lurking on distant horizons.