Canton Asylum for Insane Indians

In 1898, with strong support by SD Representative O. S. Gifford and Senator R. F. Pettigrew, Congress passed a bill to create the only insane asylum for Indians in the United States. The Hiawatha Indian Insane Asylum opened its doors to patients in 1902. In 1933, amid accusations of mismanagement and mistreatment of patients, the institution was closed.

 Collections

Access # Title Box #
H83-1 Memos, correspondence, report on patient transfer, report of survey, 1929-1933 3600B

 Indian Census Rolls, 1892-1924 (M595).

Inclusive dates NARA roll # SD Archives roll #
1910-1911, 1921, 1924 15 4398

 Superintendents’ Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports from Field Jurisdictions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1910-1938 (M1011).

Inclusive dates NARA roll # SD Archives roll #
1910-1922 7 4444
1923-1933 8 4445

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SD State Archives,  605-773-3804, fax 605-773-6041; email archref@state.sd.us