A Tale of Two Dakotas

Of all the obscure flyover states, perhaps none are more confusing to those who fly over than the place where The History Guy spent his youth- the Dakotas. In fact, many American schoolchildren have pondered the question- Why are there two Dakotas? The answer to that question is a good illustration of the strange politics of the territorial history of the United States.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
You can purchase the bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar:
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by JCG
#history #thehistoryguy #ushistory

[@rickr38016]

I am a born and raised Texan. My wife was a born and raised Californian. When I was stationed in California I got orders to Minot AFB, North Dakota. After the long drive with two screaming kids, we finally arrived in Minot. We were, of course, greeted with wind and freezing rain. My poor wife cried for a month and threatened to leave. After living there for nine years she cried when we left. She didn’t want to leave.

[@MarvinStroud3]

Many years ago I climbed down a minuteman missile silo at Minot. From a fellow Texan.

[@rickr38016]

@@MarvinStroud3 That was my job for 21 years.

[@paulholmes1303]

As in "Why Not, Minot"? Spent 6 years at Mountain Home AFB, ID. Wish I could have retired there, but technical jobs (I'm a Control;s Engineer) were/are hard to find in the North Midwest/Rocky Mountains. The Northern Tier of bases all had wonderful things about them outside of the cold. Well, maybe not K.I. Sawyer... 😁

[@mikemaricle9941]

@@paulholmes1303 When I was at Hill AFB, we called it Mountain Goat.

[@willcondon5879]

That’s a full story for so few words 👍

[@MMAGamblingTips]

This channel proves that there is still a hunger for history and you don’t have to give the audience clickbait, garbage content or fancy graphics. Just a bowtie, a bugle and history!

[@shawnreece6130]

I wonder how he was able to figure it out but the History Channel failed miserably in doing so

[@MrLoobu]

I certainly have no appetite for our future. Get it while you can.

[@dale3404]

And a cat.

[@circusshizshow]

@@terracotta6294 Slow down, and make a paragraph. Nobody reads walls of incoherent text.

[@circusshizshow]

@@terracotta6294 Slow down, and make a paragraph. Nobody reads walls of incoherent text.

[@DaveGIS123]

In fairness to North Dakota, I was deeply impressed the day our van broke down on the way from Winnipeg to an international soccer tournament in Grand Forks. A kind North Dakotan stopped, took out some rope, hooked us up to his pickup truck, and towed us to the nearest town, Drayton, where we stayed until a real tow truck arrived. That man, and the people of Drayton we met, were generous to a fault, and this Canadian is glad to have them as good neighbours.

[@GregoryHarris-ym1qz]

As a former "Unwashed Barbarian" born in Bismarck Municipal Hospital (now Med Center One) and graduate of Century HS. I appreciate that someone of integrity and knowledge has reminded the people that the South Dakota capitol is pronounced "Pier". I have been to the badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Sturgis and Mitchell many times over my youth. I now live in Florida to escape the harsh winters. For many years, through the '70s at least, there stood an old "soddy" south of Mandan not far from the Missouri. My father worked on The Standing Rock reservation for many years as a social worker. I've been a fan for some time but don't usually comment. Thank you for you presentation and inclusion of our little N to S rivalry! From one barbarian to a civilized Dakotan, thank you for the video and for what you and your wife provide for us. Perhaps, someday, your channel and contributions will be "History that deserves to be remembered" as well.

[@melissam8939]

I'm afraid MedCenter One became Sanford many years ago. Guessing you haven't been home in a while!

[@GregoryHarris-ym1qz]

@@melissam8939 You are right. I was last there for my fathers funeral back in 1999.

[@melissam8939]

Well, even if you haven't been back in over 20 years, hello from one CHS graduate and MedCenter One baby to another :)

[@crookstonsucks]

As one of those "unwashed barbarians eking out a living in north dakota" i would like to thank you for the video. I think the rivalry at this point is more friendly than ever. Honestly most people in north dakota see south dakotans as like minded good people who just happen to live in the other dakota. We can always bond over our mutal distain for Minnesotans. Bastards!

[@inspiredwoodworks4131]

As a Wisconsinite, I have to admit that I have many jokes - albeit in good natured fun- about my neighbors to the east, south, & west too!

[@apok1980]

Nah, that simply won’t do. As a Virginian who grew up on the east coast, I prefer hearing modern day stories of the bloody, warring factions of the Dakotas. I’m thinking reality series Game of Thrones style.

[@MichaelJones-rn2pq]

I have steadfastly maintained that the people of Minnesota would be much better served if their state became a colony of, and ruled over by, North Dakota.

[@ChatGPT1111]

I think the eastern groups of both states need to band together against the western halves with the Missouri River being the border. That would really shake things up.

[@craignelson6560]

Don't worry it's natural to be jealous of a state that's better than the one you live in.

[@navret1707]

Politicians in the 18th and 19th centuries were just as foolish as they are today. The more things change, the more they stay the same. SMH

[@vancouvertwerp]

And that’s why we’ve always adored them.

[@Sshooter444]

People are people

[@navyreviewer]

"Only the names change."

[@terry58501]

You forgot to mention that the meeting on the rail car took place in the dead of night as the train snuck out of the station when most people were asleep. Great video. This history does indeed deserve to be remembered.

[@yoda5565]

"Shuffle the papers so you don't know who was first"....the child like pragmatism that is America. God bless the USA

[@okjoe5561]

Politics is the same everywhere.

[@mkvv5687]

@@okjoe5561 Yes. People are the same everywhere, too, except different :D

[@sffretheim8547]

The rivalry between North and South Dakota was not the only one in the area. I grew up in NE Montana, and throughout the sixties (and probably before) there was a (friendly?) rivalry between the Billings Gazette (MT) and the Williston Herald (ND). At one point the Williston Herald ran a story claiming that the snow mobile had been invented in ND. The following week the Billings paper ran a followup piece showing a picture of the original ND snow mobile, a toboggan with oars and oarlocks.

[@CrazyBear65]

"Of all the promises they made, they kept but one. They promised they would take our land, and they took it." ~Red Cloud

[@nazmountaingirl]

Which proves that the civil war was not about slavery. The government has never been benevolent or altruistic.

[@KlodFather]

Welcome to America's melting pot. Now melt MF'ers! Dennis Leary Better words have never been spoken. Time to assimilate and get on with business.

[@bigiron8831]

FIRST NATION FOREVER ✊

[@Lightning613]

@@nazmountaingirl still isn't!

[@marydesmond9595]

​@@KlodFather at one time america was a melting pot...it now has become a cesspool

[@jbrhel]

"Unwashed barbarians who managed to eke out a living North of the border." Firmly tongue in cheek. Loved it. Thanks again History Guy.

[@KlodFather]

Yes! We can smell them from here LOL (joke)

[@skyden24195]

"North Dakota: We're not even the most popular Dakota." -Family Guy

[@frankfreeman1444]

Sir: I lived in North Dakota for a year with the USAF Minuteman program in the early 1970s. I seem to remember that the State motto was "At least we're not Mississippi".

[@danoberste8146]

When there was a push some time ago to change the name of North Dakota simply to "Dakota", presumably because "north" made it sound cold, I suggested that South Dakota should simultaneously change their name to "Warm Dakota" 🤣

[@lehampton1]

Thank you. My parents grew up in Murdo from 1921-1939 when they married and moved away for work. I got in trouble in grade school in Arkansas when I corrected my geography teacher that the capital of South Dakota was pronounced “Peer” not the French “Pierre”. You have confirmed my aching butt that I was correct!

[@JTA1961]

Spanks for commenting

[@scotcoon1186]

Huron (location of SD state fairgrounds) is pronounced her-in.there were a couple others I heard when I was up there in 2020.

[@dawnkindnesscountsmost5991]

Many people have been taught pronunciations of places that are not the pronunciations of those who live in those places, and Pierre, SD is one of those places. Thank you and The History Guy for your educational information.

[@Harv72b]

I still think they should've been named "Dakota" and "Daotherkota".

[@tedecker3792]

Or South Dakota and North Duhkota!

[@skyylow]

Ya sure ya betcha

[@steveperreira5850]

Would be cool: it seems like a nearby state was quite advanced in naming for the times. As my father taught me when I was a young boy, we have a wonderful Rocky Mountain state named after a Chinese woman. Ida Ho! I’ll bet the history guy didn’t know that, ha ha!

[@steveperreira5850]

Ted Ecker : that’s a good one too! I’m hoping we can divide California into about five states or so and sell off the liberal parts to China and Mexico and Canada.

[@tedecker3792]

Steve Perreira at least they have value, you couldn’t give the red states away.

[@scottinnis9666]

"Unwashed barbarians who manage to eak out a living " I laughed out loud at that line! Great job, our country's schools would be well served to play an episode a day of your videos!

[@jblyon2]

Way more informative (and accurate) than anything I can remember from my history classes!

[@-oiiio-3993]

Watch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXmtk4asnsminsk

[@rogerodle8750]

A capital idea! (Eke, btw)

[@mkvv5687]

@@rogerodle8750 Eek!

[@joshualafontaine2116]

I second that idea!! Real history for a change!

[@susanwahl6322]

The reason we have two Dakotas is because we had to find someway to weather strip Canada.

[@medotorg2720]

Kind of like double-glazing ;-)

[@goodun2974]

Susan Wahl, did you use ordinary scissors, or Alberta "Clippers", to part or separate the two Dakotas? 🤣🤔 (Forgive me, but your last name being Wahl, I couldn't help but make a "sharp" joke).

[@bikeny]

@@goodun2974 I had to do a search to get your joke. Very nice. (and to save others from having to do it: Wahl makes hair clippers).

[@stevengrotte2987]

@@bikeny They also made quality Fountain Pens & Pencils.

[@WyomingTraveler]

I have lived in Rapid City SD & Minot ND. I enjoyed living in both, but SD is my favorite. In Minot there was a saying, “Minot is not the end of the world, but you can see it from there.” Truly enjoy your channel.

[@GregoryHarris-ym1qz]

As an ex-patriot NDak, I have heard that saying. I wonder what they say in Winnipeg? lol

[@blaine1124]

I was born and raised and still live here in Minot. Another common saying is “Why not Minot? Freezins the reason!” 😂

[@WyomingTraveler]

@@blaine1124 Yes, and 40 below keeps the riff raft out

[@martinm3474]

@@blaine1124 I heard when the Lutheran Churches got together, for their headquarters, Minot was named. That is where I first heard the term "Why not Minot", I didn't hear the rest of this phrase. And the Lutherans didn't land there anyway.

[@ZER0ZER0SE7EN]

@@WyomingTraveler it keeps everyone out : )

[@fltof2]

“These are the only two U.S. states admitted at the same time?” sounds like a great Jeopardy question, but be careful in which order you answer that. ;-)

[@-oiiio-3993]

What is the Dakotas?

[@FLPhotoCatcher]

This Thanksgiving is the 400th anniversary of the original Thanksgiving. I hope the History Guy will make a video about the original one, highlighting the less well-known events, and debunking the popular PC narrative that says the Pilgrims killed and wronged the natives. I've studied history, and the Pilgrims acted toward the natives the most honorably, of any group I know of. THG could make a fascinating episode about it, with many facts worthy of Jeopardy.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@donofon101 I was answering _“These are the only two U.S. states admitted at the same time?”_ in Jeopardy fashion. I am well aware of the Sioux and their indigenous neighbors. My Bavarian ancestor, Siegmund Rothhammer, was with the Sully Expedition in the Dakotas 1863 - 65 and left letters, journals, along with samples of flora and fauna that currently reside at the Smithsonian.

[@mkvv5687]

@@-oiiio-3993 Alex: Well played :)

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@mkvv5687 Thanks, Al.

[@michaelmanning5379]

Thumbs up for the History Cat's portrait in uniform.

[@HM2SGT]

That is Pookie, senior History Cat. Pookie passed recently, crossing the Rainbow Bridge on 17 June of 21. 😞😿

[@HM2SGT]

@Travis Johnson You definitely need to learn compassion & empathy... unless you are a troll in which case being a poor excuse for a human being *is* your hobby. Either way, nothing you have committed to keyboard says anything positive about you or reflects upon you in any way but negatively. It takes a particularly pathetic and damaged person to revel in negative attention. You have my sympathies you sad, small souled little man.

[@grenadenazi]

I legit thought it was a squirrel.

[@MomentsInTrading]

Travis- You’re replying to a comment about a cat .

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@HM2SGT May there be catnip, birds, and mice.

[@ExoticTerrain]

The better than Nebraska comment really cracked me up!

[@kevincasady8992]

The only state in the lower 48 not worth building a north/south Interstate highway through: Nebraska. The only put the S.A.C headquarters there so Nebraska would be nuked too.

[@veteranironoutdoors8320]

@@kevincasady8992 no no, we would have been nuked anyway. We are dotted with nuclear silos. There are two silos within a half hour radius of me

[@ronfullerton3162]

@@kevincasady8992 As a Nebraskan, all I can say is that I feel the love! Or at least the attention.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@veteranironoutdoors8320 There were several NIKE sites in and around Los Angeles. www.laalmanac.com/history/hi08.php

[@iowafarmboy]

Same. That was hilarious! Love the state rivalry 😂

[@johnholliday5874]

Spent 6 good years and met the wife in Aberdeen, helped send Kristi Noem to Congress twice, then got transferred to Bismarck for 6. Love the Dakotas.

[@rickr38016]

Another less well-known piece of North Dakota history is that Minot was known as “Little Chicago” during prohibition. Al Capone ran a high-volume bootleg distillery in Minot. It was also Capone's distribution point for Canadian whiskey smuggled across the border. Needless to say, debauchery abounded!

[@marksloan5443]

As a life long resident of North Dakota, I can honestly say this episode is spot on. Especially your comments at 12:58.

[@cjski21]

Ugh, how do you live there? We all know the better Dakota is where it is at. For a Dakota, anyways.

[@trg6705]

Mark I'm also a north Dakota resident and he said we were not as suffocated as or southern neighbors. I wonder what state he was from.😅

[@truckpipemc3275]

@@cjski21 Then he is in the right place already! lol

[@stickoutofthemud]

North Dakota rocks!

[@gusloader123]

@@stickoutofthemud ummm, it is -4 degrees F right now in southeastern N.D. My pick-up will not crank over. Thankfully I'm retired so I do not have to drive to work. It was -20F at about 6am. The politics are good here, but it is seriously too cold. {[ I cannot understand how the "Indians" lived here before there were coal stoves / N.G. and electric furnaces. 🥶😨

[@katieandkevinsears7724]

I love both Dakotas. It doesn't matter to me whether it's North or South. TR National Park and The Black Hills are both amazing places.

[@hankvandenakker4271]

WHO DA HELL KNEW THAT THE 2 DAKOTAS COULD BE THIS INTERESTING!? THE HISTORY GUY KNEW!

[@richardross119]

The History Guy, I have loved history since I was a young boy, sitting at my great grandmaothers feet, listening to her tell me about how her grandparents adapted to native warriors in Illinois, the first car, television, the depression and WWII. I could sit and listen for days. When I was about 9 a package was delivered to our house by accident. It contained a pack of 10 history " cards". They had an illustration on the front and a short story on the back of a moment in history. Now we had very little in the way of disposable income but, my mom saw how I read and reread those cards. The next month I received 10 more. My mother did this for the next 2 years. You're videos feel the same to me. I can watch them over and over gleening as much information as I can. You bring history to life. For that I thank You. Hopefully you will spark an interest in history for another young man or young lady. God Bless!

[@larrybelken7568]

My first job out of University in 1979 was working on a Power Line Project which stretched from Huron SD to Beula ND or a little over 500 miles. In those two years, I put over 60,000 miles on a company truck and traveled the byways of both states. Being from Wisconsin, I was used to brutal winters, just not as brutal as those. The people from both states were largely the same, friendly and kind to strangers. I spent many a night in motels in small towns and villages and found all to be gracious and hospitable. That being said, I was glad to leave the two states in my rearview mirror as I left. I have traveled and work around the world but still, remember those days from long ago fondly. Now that I am looking at retirement, I am a South Dakota resident and looking at making it my forever home. We'll see how that goes. THG - keep up the great work.

[@aharder5765]

I grew up in both SD and WI and Wisconsin's winters are mild compared to the ones found on the prairies

[@JTA1961]

I'm sure you brought a couple of thick Dakota 's

[@PaulThronson]

I have lived in South Dakota for 47 years, Aberdeen, Pierre, Watertown, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, North Sioux City and seen it all. Maybe it was your accent that drew me to support this channel for years :)

[@paulc.sachsejr.7209]

I’m from New York but fell in love with South Dakota after visiting my son while he was stationed at Ellsworth AFB. It is an outdoorsman’s dream. Can’t wait to go back for a third time. Thanks for the video…

[@bobjohnson8970]

"Unwashed barbarians ekeing out a living." There is coffee all over the table and my nose hurts!

[@-oiiio-3993]

Watch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXmtk4asnsminsk

[@iowafarmboy]

I had to LOL at the follow up dig on Nebraska 😂😂

[@revade6698]

OMH (as in O-MA-HA)! As a big Cornhusker fan, I need to know - other than the flat, endless, unpopulated space and empty roads (kinda like Saskatchewan) - what's so bad about Nebraska? 😉

[@johnhobson9165]

@@revade6698 The original script for Star Wars: A New Hope had Obi-wan saying, "Mos Eisley Space Port. You will never find a greater hive of scum and villainy. Except Nebraska." The last bit was omitted as being too obvious.

[@MesaperProductions]

That's awesome!

[@-oiiio-3993]

My Bavarian ancestor, Siegmund Rothhammer, was hospital steward with the 6th Iowa Cavalry and spent 1862 - 65 with the Sully Expedition in Dakota Territory moving against the Sioux. He was a university trained (Regensburg) naturalist and was charged with collecting and describing samples of minerals, flora and fauna which are housed at the Smithsonian. Rothhammer had reported signs of gold as well as burning seams of lignite and fossils of dinosaurs in his official reports which, along with letters and diary entries, can be found at the National Archives.

[@mikemaricle9941]

My G-Grandfather, and his brother served in the Iowa 7th, both were wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge. My G-Gf lost an arm, and his bro lost a leg. I'd like to see HG do an episode on that battle.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@mikemaricle9941 Siegmund wrote of Whitestone Hill.

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

I’m restricted from viewing National Archives.

[@mikemaricle9941]

@@-oiiio-3993 I realize that, I was expounding on the Iowa connection.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717 Ouch.

[@w.m.woodward2833]

My grandfather grew up in a sod house in South Dakota, before moving back to homestead in Wisconsin. I lived for a while in Custer and can attest to the uniqueness of that beautiful (if not a little sparse) land. But I never knew much of a history of The Dakotas until now. Thank you THG for a little history lesson worth remembering 😉

[@wjpperry1]

I grew up in South Dakota too, and I love your take on the rivalry

[@davemaloneyvideos]

Great episode! I was born in Riverdale North Dakota. As a matter of fact, I was the first male child to be born in Riverdale. December 27, 1948. Then came pf blizzard at 49. My oh my.

[@bretthess6376]

Back 50 years ago, I was walking across the lawn of the small motel I stayed at in the Black Hills, when I saw a small glint of pearly-white in the grass. I dug a little bit and pulled a foot-long fossil razor clam right out of the ground. To this day it's the best fossil clam I've ever found.

[@bobbyjackson4452]

I was stationed in Grand Forks, N.D. with the USAF. Being a kid from Alabama, the winters surpassed any expectation of what true cold felt like. I've never since felt the sting of a -40F/-40C air temp with an additional 10-20F chill when those strong plains winds kicked in. I hope that time gets longer as well. I have visited the area since to see old friends, but always during the summer. :)

[@romainnelseng3264]

Thank you for the marvelous nostalgia trip to that political north and south split - a point beyond the view of the Sioux Falls public school systems in 1942. More likely, I didn’t pay attention to that tidbit then, or thereafter, for the matter. As a boy, the Sioux Falls Army Air Force Training Base was a magical site. After the War, we remained in our self-proclaimed metropolis of the Great Plains. If north-south was less to contemplate, the east-west divide was more. Would your entertaining takes on history find enough to do a bit on the two states-of-being between the parts of South Dakota marked by the Missouri cutting a slant slash, diagonally? What say? But thank you again for what you do. Romain Nelsen

[@howarddavis289]

I really enjoyed this episode. My wife and I lived in South Dakota for 5 years in the 80s. A big adventure for an Arkansas boy.

[@wmrayburn7620]

I have never been in greater agreement with your statement that this is a "history ( lesson ) that deserves to be remembered."

[@maxvitriol7568]

Thanks, THG for another Dakota show! Spent the first six years of my life in Slope County, ND but almost all my school years around Lead, SD. My mother was from a part of ND where children didn't even go to school in the winter time. It was just too brutally cold in the 1930s.

[@mrmacguff1n]

I was born in the Northern Dakota, so this episode has caught my interest lol

[@davidhanson4909]

Idea for a topic I've not seen anywhere on youtube yet: the early 20th century program to import and ranch hippos in the swamps of the southern U.S.. It didn't come off, obviously, but it involves meat shortages, invasive water hyacinths, spies, and congressional hearings. No pirates that I know of, but it's definitely something that deserves to be remembered.

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

If it involves swamps and bayous there HAVE to be pirates in there somewhere!

[@louisbecker5941]

Suggestion for future content: The border town of Mondak, which straddled the MT/ND border near the confluence of the Yellowstone & Missouri Rivers. It has been a ghost town for over a century, but there was a time when it was a wild-west party-town with a colorful history.

[@J-1410]

And how Fairview didn't have a similar past.

[@MrDubyadee1]

Great episode. As I listened I could not help but recall the show “Deadwood”.

[@dpm-jt8rj]

I was also thinking Dances with Wolves.

[@simongleaden2864]

The mention of the Black Hills of Dakota made me think of the Beatles song "Rocky Racoon".

[@rudolfyakich6653]

H.G. one of my old time Montana neighbors observed South Dakota residents herding jackrabbits into nets during the 1930's. After that he referred to them as "rabbit chokers". Thanks for this episode. I started drilling oil Wells in North Dakota in 1979. I met a lot of heathens there.

[@Very_Angry_Citizen]

You need to be on every TV screen in EVERY classroom in the nation.

[@JeffDeWitt]

Yep, the History Guy and Townsends.

[@MegaNinjaMonkeyZord]

American schools do not teach history anymore, selected bits of it are stuffed under studies of insert some nonsense, plus teaching documented History is offensive, because what matters is how history makes ppl feel thus popular baseless opinions take precedence over stupid historical evidence, numbers, artifacts

[@GrocMax]

They don't allow non-politicized history in official gov't schools anymore, you should know that ;)

[@johnjgood793]

Loved your "commentary" near the end, spoken like a true South Dakotan.

[@michaellazarus2879]

Now I know why my grandparents migrated to Oregon in 1933. My mom was born in Aberdeen only because the closest hospital from home in N. Dakota was in S. Dakota. A mystery explained.

[@tadroid3858]

When serving the USCG in Baudette, MN; we had to go to Grand Forks Air Base to get equipment flown in, and my sons wrestled in the national wrestling tournament held each year in Fargo. Always had a good time in ND.

[@gus473]

Semper Paratus! Must have been a station for Lake of the Woods....?🤔

[@tadroid3858]

@@gus473 LORAN-C, but I did slay some walleyes on LotW and Rainy River. We had a 6-hole ice fishing shack!!

[@wombatreccy]

If there was ever a duty station that truly meant for puddle pirates! Hahaha

[@bronco5644]

My great grandfather was a homesteader in Greenville Township, Dakota Territory (later North Dakota) in 1885, moving from Minnesota. Another great grandfather and family also settled in North Dakota also in Greenville Township in 1905. Thanks for the lesson on the history of the state.

[@bronco5644]

@@met6490 Sounds great! My mom went to college in Valley City back in the 1930s, at Valley City State Teachers College. Have fun working on the farm! If you drive through Verona (on Hwy 1 south of Valley City), wave. My grandparents retired from the farm and lived there. As a kid, my family would drive to ND from Texas each summer and I spent lots of time in Verona and on the farm in Greenville township.

[@mikeklein5184]

Being from Saskatchewan I love this look at where most of our population would go to shop and party. A big part of the reason we have Sunday shopping. We also shared some big personalities: Chief Running Bull and Louis Riel.

[@GermanShepherd1983]

They should have split the states along the Missouri River and had an East and West Dakota. Trust me, especially in SD, they fight about east river/west river far more than they do North or South Dakota. Even the HG will acknowledge that. As to Pembina, now days the city pronounces it PEM bin a.

[@macmama6836]

Yes, there is much contested between east and west river in south dakota. I live east river but align politically with west river. Sioux Falls sucks.

[@WildWestGal]

Pookie has taken his honored place in today's episode... ever in our memory! My mother and grandmother were born on the family homestead in Minnehaha County, SD. In 1870, my Norwegian great grandparents rode in a wagon train from IA to the Dakota Territory to take advantage of the homestead act. They built a sod house and started homesteading a "full section". They became very prosperous farmers. When the state lines were finalized, 1/4 of the farm ended up in MN! Loved hearing this history!

[@timengineman2nd714]

Since the 1980's, I've wondered why instead of North & South Dakota, why one wasn't Dakota and the other Lakota... This show helped explained that a Lot!

[@lonnieparsons6068]

I grew up in Western North Dakota and found this fascinating. We didn’t cover any of this in our state.

[@grapeshot]

I knew a sergeant when I was in the army who said he joined the army just to get up out of South Dakota.

[@northdakotaham1752]

A good choice!

[@davidcampbell4465]

I joined the Navy just to get out of Arkansas 😁👍...

[@dwlopez57]

Most people just move to California so they can become movie stars

[@ronfullerton3162]

@@davidcampbell4465 I alway thought it was something how many young men from the landlocked states join the Navy.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@dwlopez57 Nonsense.

[@robertsnyder7282]

Always entertaining and informative. Future topic idea: How St. Peter almost became the capital of Minnesota; in 1857 a bill was approved to move the capital to St. Peter but was stolen before the governor could sign it. The thief hid in a brothel until the session was over.

[@tomjustis7237]

I would LOVE to see that episode!

[@robertsnyder7282]

@@tomjustis7237 The governor and his cronies owned land in St. Peter he hoped to sell for the new capital. Also the original name of our capital was Pig's Eye Landing.

[@tomjustis7237]

@@robertsnyder7282 "Pig's Eye Landing"?!?! That is hilarious! Minnesota should have kept the name just for the uniqueness. I guarantee that would be one state capital name NO high school student would ever forget! It sounds like the so-called 'thief' who stole the bill was actually an honest and dedicated citizen protecting his fellow citizens from graft and corruption. And as to hiding out in a brothel? Priceless! Maybe Minnesota should consider a statue honoring both him and the prostitutes who hid him. Something like him standing there in a defiant posture while holding the bill high over his head and surrounded by three or four scantily clad 'ladies of the evening'. Hell, I'd be willing to travel to Minnesota for the dedication of that statue! Seriously though, thanks for the history lesson. Those are the kinds of little known snippets that make history so fascinating to me. Stay safe and healthy!

[@awesomeblossom1]

I am a life-long South Dakotan, and enjoy obscure history. I just read a book that is a bit rough around the edges, but interesting, about ‘life on the dakota range in the early days’. It is called “Nothing but Prairie and Sky,” by Walker D Wyman.

[@kcidmil]

I was stationed in South Dakota for almost 10 years and love the Black Hills, especially during the first snowfall of the year. I spent a lot of time near Hot Springs and Belle Fourche (another SD town name many outsiders pronounce wrong). So love hearing all these stories about a place that I now consider my adopted home. The barbarians of the north gives me a chuckle because my brother was stationed in North Dakota at the same time and can truthfully tell you Why-not having lived there fior almost 15 years. Though I may have committed a SD faux pas. My adopted home is West River but my wife was born East River (she fiercely contends she is West River as she spent most of her life on the correct side). I just laugh and tell her it is ok, I'm not a native West River so it doesn't really count.

[@jopgaard]

Another great video. I’d love it if you would do a video on the “Normal” schools that were established in the west to train teachers. The first college in the Dakota Territory was Dakota Normal School and is now Dakota State University. It has a fascinating history and really shows the emphasis that the early settlers placed on education and schools, many of which were one room school houses. My dad taught in one in the late 40s in North Dakota.

[@macmama6836]

My Grandma went to that Normal School. She taught in a one room school house until she got married, Then she had to stop teaching.

[@jeffmoore2351]

You know your doing a good job of entertaining people when it viewed 37 seconds after you post it. Love my History as you love your History

[@andreperrault5393]

My mother is from North Dakota and I served there with the Air Force for a while. I very much appreciate and thank you for this and all your presentations. Everyone should see them.

[@brucematthews6417]

Your videos with their particular focus on the little things is what should be taught in school instead of all the "book larnin' ". Your videos supply far more insight into how things were shaped in each time period than all the names and dates we had to learn in order to pass tests. Keep up the great work. And don't let them durn northerners tell you otherwise :D

[@angeladoll9785]

Pierre is my hometown! Thank you SO much for pronouncing it right, it makes me even more homesick when people pronounce it wrong ❤️

[@dennisshoffner5201]

You’d think by now I’d have learned not to drink my morning coffee while watching an episode of THG, but no, such is not the case. I was doing just fine until I heard the “unwashed barbarians” line! My phone’s screen is finally wiped and dry. Thanks for asking!

[@Neverquitoverland]

Of all the various videos, The History Guy videos are the only ones to guarantee that I leave them uplifted and educated. Thank you

[@earllutz2663]

Another great video and an ongoing history education. I am particularly interested in South Dakota, because one of my favorite Writers, is Laura Ingles Wilder, and South Dakota, is where Laura's Family, ended up, in the town of Desmit, of which her ( Laura's ) father, Charles was a founder. Laura spoke of the " Long Winter " in her book, with the same title.

[@terryeck3304]

The history of Carpetbaggers might make an interesting topic.

[@steventhompson399]

Today they are practically all carpetbaggers lol

[@jliller]

This episode uses the term "carpetbagger" in a related, but different manner to the traditional use of the word with regard to the South in the Reconstruction Era. I've never heard it before used in regards to the West, only to the South.

[@michaelfruitticher616]

The carpet baggers and their ilk showed up after the civil war like crows and buzzards. They are what Congress today, is made of.

[@jliller]

@@michaelfruitticher616 Explain how Congress today are carpetbaggers. I'm neither agreeing or disagreeing with your statement; I'm not clear what you mean by it.

[@KlodFather]

@@jliller - assholes from another jurisdiction who come to a place and run for office or are appointed to a position of power representing that state, city, territory, or area. There are lots of roaches like that in congress. Don't be coy and/or cute. You are just picking nits on this one.

[@leviwarren6222]

I'm moving my family from Oregon to Rapid City, South Dakota in two weeks! You have, by far, the best content on South Dakota on KZbin. I've been watching you for years and only realized you were from the Black Hills when you mentioned it in the Black Hills flood episode. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@bradmitchell3765]

Good luck. I moved from Oregon to NE SD almost 50 yrs ago, it took a while to get used to the winters. Believe it or not Rapid is in the "banana belt" of SD. Yes it gets cold and snowy but it goes away. In NE SD we used to say in some years the first snowflake that landed in Nov was still on the ground in April.

[@leviwarren6222]

@@bradmitchell3765 Oh dag! My wife and I took a trip to Rapid City in April and decided that's where we needed to raise the kids. Oregon isn't what it was 50 years ago, I've only been here for 31 years and it's gotten...difficult over the last decade. Sounds like the weather over there is harsh but I'm more than willing to make the trade. Oregon is the most beautiful place on earth and I know it well. Never thought I would ever leave, but South Dakota is the right choice.

[@bradmitchell3765]

@@leviwarren6222 I think you'll find you'll love it there. There a lot of things to do in and around the Hills. Not to mention there are several colleges, 2 and 4 yr ones if your kids want to go. All I can say is, "Enjoy!"

[@macmama6836]

Welcome to South Dakota, but please be careful when voting or you will screw it up...and this is the only thing we get hostile about

[@leviwarren6222]

@@macmama6836 Oregon is packed with Californians, I fully understand the implications of moving my family to South Dakota and I plan on integrating. I'm leaving Oregon because the people have left me, but I'm moving to South Dakota to fortify a state where freedom is still respected and founding values are perpetuated. I hope to help maintain the best ideals of America by becoming a South Dakotan.

[@paulalmquist5683]

Been through both states multiple times. Interesting places, certainly "Big Sky Country" to borrow a phrase associated with neighboring Montana. Beautiful scenery. Nice to learn more about their history.

[@NatesRandomVideo]

Ah ha! The CSU guy is a secret Dakotan! Timely episode. We just visited SD for the Jy 4th weekend and dad's family is all from there. Great stuff!

[@eddyheaddrascal1858]

Such an interesting comment at the end, how this story took place at the turning point right before the guilded age. Stories like these help to contextualize the otherwise vague "eras" in history.

[@Planag7]

Always nice to hear your perspective on things it's definitely a lot of history to be told I sometimes visit the areas to help out the local tribes just kind of a thing I do every so often.

[@JTA1961]

So they've opened a casino ?? 😃

[@Planag7]

@@JTA1961 Please don't be ignorant both my tribe (the Yaqui) and others don't necessarily get the ability to build wherever they want remember a lot of these reservations are technically public land and although we can lease off of that and we can have mobile homes on there we technically can't own said land it's very screwed up system but that's why I'm off on my own. That said for those who do use the system there's always the controversy of the agreements and how money is supposed to be split up it's very complicated still to this day

[@bretthess6376]

"We're not in Dakota anymore, Toto!" "Well, at least it's not Nebraska!" I'll let myself out.

[@vancouvertwerp]

Fascinating video! Thank you! Up until 1986, when I was 15, my family lived in Winnipeg, and we used to visit either Grand Forks or Fargo every summer. We used to get the big American networks on cable tv (ABC, CBS, NBC & PBS), and those channels became very dependent on us! Winnipeg had a bigger population than the entire state. The PBS network is very dependent on its Canadian audience for support! Miss visiting there. And, I have never been to South Dakota!

[@kendavis8046]

This was a very entertaining presentation. It sounds as though the "dislike" between the two states is entirely good-natured, which sounds like a LOT of my relationship with certain kinfolk! :-)

[@johnmccallum8512]

Sounds very much like the rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire that today is fought out on the Cricket pitch and football field.

[@kendavis8046]

@@johnmccallum8512 Those of us in Texas ask the proverbial question. "Why doesn't Texas slide into the Gulf of Mexico? Because Oklahoma sucks!" Seriously, though, we all get along, and I'm sure Oklahoma folks will have witty remarks, and I promise to not be offended!

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@kendavis8046 Oklahoma Territory nearly became the State of Sequoyah in 1906.

[@johnhobson9165]

@@johnmccallum8512 The annual County Cricket match between Yorkshire and Lancashire is called the War of the Roses. I might mention that I'm a Yorkshireman.

[@johnmccallum8512]

@@johnhobson9165 I'm a scotsman living in Yorkshire with relatives in Lancashire so I stay out of it.

[@Markver1]

The bald corruption of the Gilded Age never went away. It just learned to put on a fancy hat.

[@mkvv5687]

It's interesting to note that most of the problems in history are from people wearing funny hats.

[@KlodFather]

Its also the mafia with a flag on the wall LOL

[@tommyallen5671]

Thanks for the Dakota episode! I currently live in RapidCity, this will always be home. But I’ve also had the “pleasure” to live in ND, before the oil boom. Love all your content, and tell all my friends as well, keep doing what you do!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Hello fellow South Dakotan! I spent a great deal of time in Yankton. Really good fishing on the Missouri, but also a very swift and dangerous river. People don’t realize how close Yankton is to Nebraska, the river is the dividing line.

[@mcvet57103]

Dividing line only for a portion of the two states.

[@kenehlears7716]

Was stationed in Minot N.D. while in the Air Force.spent a lot of my off time traveling in N.D. S.D. & MT.truly an amazing part of the country.often desolate but very beautiful. Thanks H.G. another fine video

[@SvdSinner]

In Iowa, there used to be a similar friendly rivalry between Iowa and Minnesota. And then Minnesota elected Jessie "The Body" Ventura as their governor. That pretty much ended the rivalry and good-natured Iowa folk have been too polite to rub in the victory.

[@stevenemert837]

@Greg Wilson And we thank you for that!

[@ronfullerton3162]

I remember the corny jokes about the "other state" that went on for the whole week prior to the Minnesota vs Iowa football game. Some of them were really bad, but still funny. Really missed that upon moving to Nebraska. Er, until THG shone a light on some disdain for Nebraska as per the Dakotans. Guess I need to check in on this.

[@howardwhite1507]

The real argument: Is Iowa the southern county of MN or the northern county of Missouri?! Neither state wants the responsibility!

[@jasonworks1362]

I find your delivery of history to be very interesting and informative, you definitely have a love of history and the way you convey it shows. I wish a had a teacher in school that taught half as well as you do. I am in Manitoba and work in the Pembina Valley and found it quite interesting that north Dakota could have been named Pembina Thanks for the content, really enjoy it

[@jimdevilbiss9125]

We visit both Dakotas four years ago. I did notice a difference it was a beautiful country and extremely nice people. Wonderful to know the backstory and then it continues

[@iamnotamushroom2880]

I love North Dakota. I go through there on my way to visit family in Saskatchewan. I love the long rolling hills filled with millions of sunflowers. I have seen herds of hundreds of elk. Beautiful land. Haven't been through there in years. Usually landed in Minot and drove from there. I like the stone signs, I guess you could call them, left from the graduated classes. Some are very old. Thanks for uploading this. Brings back memories. 🙂

[@danharold3087]

ND is quite diverse. The extremes are the badlands in the west and the table flat red river valley in the east.

[@Zeyev]

Minot High's band went to Estevan to compete in the Band Day celebration when I was a student there, back in ancient times when the border crossing was very informal. And my father once gave a presentation in Moose Jaw at the auditorium with the upside-down roof. Great memories.

[@iamnotamushroom2880]

@zeyev I have been to both those places. Moose Jaw is where the old Al Capone liquor smuggling operation was. I had a great time. My family is in Carlyle. Spent many times at Kenosi (spelling?).

[@iamnotamushroom2880]

@Dan Harold. Thanks I forgot what the name of the river was. Is that the one the flows through Minot? The first time I saw a missile silo out in the middle of nowhere was a bit awe inspiring. Not much to see but just to know.

[@danharold3087]

@@iamnotamushroom2880 The Souris River aka Mouse River flows through Minot. It drops down from Canada makes a loop through ND and flows back into Canada.

[@petuniasevan]

Hubby's family is from South Dakota. His parents still live in the home they bought on the Missouri River in 1976. At least among older generations, folks from one "Dakota" really REALLY get annoyed if they are mistaken for being from the "other Dakota". Curious to know where in SD the History Guy grew up. And for those of you reading this comment, something that is uniquely South Dakotan (eastern part) is Chislic. Look it up.

[@harryparmley1193]

Thank you for a great article. I have deep roots in South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa, though I haven't been there since '52. Yes, I was a child. A lot of family gravestones in that area...

[@dawsonl]

Though born in Omaha and grew up in St. Louis I've lived in Pierre for the last 28 years. I loved this. Thank you for helping me learn about my adopted state. Here's a short bit of history you missed. Just before Custer left on the campaign that ended at Little Big Horn he gathered all the territorial leaders and said, "Don't do anything until I get back." And they've stayed faithful. :)

[@richardmourdock2719]

What a great way to begin the day! THG's authenticity, accuracy and humor is so perfect for this topic.... though I previously understood that the division occurred when those counties on the south side of the border line said they wanted to be part of South Dakota so they would no longer have to endure harsh, North Dakota winters. And, having studied geology in the Dakotas, it was nice to hear "Leed" and "Peer" properly pronounced.

[@kirtliedahl]

An excellent episode! I never understood the weird rivalry between North and South Dakota. It should be perfectly obvious that North Dakota is clearly the better of the two… 😉

[@dicksargent3582]

Yes and that's because their on TOP. :)

[@Jarnor23]

We hang out with Canada, they do with Nebraska. Enough said.

[@mcvet57103]

@@Jarnor23 Yeah North Dakota is going woke like Canada.

[@davidcarroll8735]

This might be my favorite so far, but then again I have so many favorite THG episodes!

[@bradeugene1]

Excellent summary of Dakota territory and statehood Mr. History Guy. My grandfather was born on the family homestead near what is now Lake Norden South Dakota in 1889. I’m also a native of South Dakota, but have lived in Australia, England and throughout the U.S. I’ve settled in Eugene Oregon and although I’ve never actually been to North Dakota I do have neighbors from the wilds of that state and find they’re quite civilized. They Even use knives and forks at dinner. I really enjoy your material. Well done.

[@xyzzy1233]

I rarely comment on any KZbin channel, However, I have enjoyed your historical perspective on so many different subjects that I felt that I had to tell you how much I appreciate your candor and approach to each!! Thank you so much!

[@JTA1961]

Couldn't have said it better, myself.

[@Kenniii3]

Never fallen asleep behind the wheel, but Nebraska is as close as I’ve come.

[@jasonc3522]

Same here, it was the middle of the day coming off a good night's sleep.

[@nolgroth]

My experience in Nebraska was quite different. Mine was stark, inexplicable terror. I was just on a road trip to see the sights within easy drive distance of Fort Leavenworth, KS when I drove through a small town in Nebraska. This place was one of those "Norman Rockwell-esque" towns that just oozed Americana. Anyway, I stopped at a little gas station to pick up a snack. As I started to get out of my car, I had this overwhelmingly powerful feeling that if my right foot (which was still in the car) touched the ground, I was not leaving that town alive. Along with that little epiphany came fear like I had never felt before and I was a prison guard at the USDB at the time. So I swung myself back into the drivers seat and left that place in the dust. Couldn't shake the feeling that I was being followed until I crossed over into Kansas. Never felt that way before or since. I wish I could remember the name of the town. I remember going up to Counsel Bluffs, IA and heading west from there into Nebraska. Anyway, that is my Nebraska story.

[@Kenniii3]

@@nolgroth yikes! It generally pays to take heed to your creep alarm in situations like that. Sometimes it’s the spirit of God giving other-worldly discernment . I’ve never had that exact same experience, but I have also had times when I just knew it was time to bail out of the situation. (P. S. If you read that before I edited it, Sorry. I don’t know why I continue to bother with voice to text)

[@tedecker3792]

Hell, I’ve fallen asleep on my motorcycle on I-90.

[@JTA1961]

@@nolgroth ...I'll Nebraska ya ta tell another story...

[@markbielawski]

I love Field Marshal Meow-meow in the background!

[@Darrell1019]

Thanks Doc, you've given us another great lesson in history! Too think that I assumed that the Dakotas would be boring!

[@danharold3087]

I was surprised at your pronunciation of pembina. Apparently there are regional differences. I am from ND, we always used the Canadian version pem-bi-na or pem-buh-nuh.

[@stenbak88]

I look so forward to these videos especially since the history channel is just junk collecting and aliens.

[@mercator79]

This year the pandemic allowed alot of American football fans to see FCS teams in action at a different time of year than the bigger schools. It was quite fun to see the huge rivalries between USD, SDSU, UND, and NDSU, all of which were pretty darned good. And that comes from an EWU Eagle. :D

[@stvitalkid7981]

Manitobans have a close relationship with North Dakota. Grand Forks, Fargo and Minot are popular weekend shopping destinations. We in Manitoba have been watching ND stations on cable TV for well over 50 years. When the movie Wargames came out in 1982, Winnipeg theatre audiences always chuckled nervously when the computer simulation indicated the Soviets had targeted Grand Forks AFB.