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The South Dakota Experience Part
III:
Changing Times
Changing Times
tells the story of South
Dakotans in the 1900s and how they handled the changes they faced, including
the Great
Depression and the arrival of electricity. Visitors can milk a cow, walk through
a bungalow-style house, and watch Captain 11 on
video.
Changing Times:
South Dakota in the 20th Century
West River
South
Dakotans often break the state into two neat halves divided by the Missouri
– east river and west river. East river has a rolling landscape formed by
glaciers while west river’s craggy buttes were shaped by erosion. Ranching
is a vital part of the west river economy and lifestyle. In the diorama, two
cowboys brand cattle in a typical west river landscape. In the background,
you can see a sheepherder’s wagon surrounded by his flock. One sheepherder
with a good dog could handle 2500 sheep.
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Agriculture, Labor, &
Industry Sawmills, meat packers,
seed companies, farm equipment plants, and sugar-beet processing factories
have all contributed to South Dakota’s economy. High-tech jobs have been
added in more recent years.
The International Harvester Company made the Farmall F-20, a small tractor
that could replace horses on the farm. The tractor weighed 4500 pounds and
came with steel tires until 1936 when rubber tires were introduced. The F-20
line was replaced by International’s “alphabet” small tractor line – A’s,
B’s, C’s, H’s and M’s. This 1936 F-20 Farmall belonged to the Nutbrock
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In the Home
(Walk-through kitchen with
design-your-kitchen activity built into table, cupboards with small
appliances, dishes and household items) Early 20th-century
home life revolved around the kitchen. Progressive-era home economics
experts encouraged homemakers to arrange their kitchens to save steps and
time. Running water and kerosene stoves, along with good lighting
and counters at a comfortable work height, were considered
essential.
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Plains Power: Milk the Cow
Electric power made large
dairy farms possible. Try your
hand at milking a cow. Compete against an electrical milking machine and
"feel" the ease that came about when power reached the plains.
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The first local phone
exchange appeared in the Black Hills in 1878. By the early 1900s there were
more than 400 in the state. Most farmers had no phones until the Rural
Telephone Program of the REA formed in 1949.
Rural phone systems
featured the party line. Each household on a line had its own ring.
Listening in on others’ calls—or rubbering—kept one in the know. You can
take a listen on out party line to find out what’s going on!
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Railroads moved into western South Dakota in
the early 1900s. Towns were built along the lines, and local trains handled
everything from passengers to fireworks. As rail service declined, towns
became local supply centers not dependent on rail traffic.
Cars changed South Dakota,
making it possible to connect with people at a greater distance. Saturday
night trade flourished. Some towns faded as drivers could take their
business down the road.
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Click for
map
of newest installation
Return to the Galleries
phone 605-773-3458, fax 605-773-6041
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