"This Big Week in S.D. History," 14-20 July
Local papers and websites are welcome to reprint; graphic included for your use.
By Todd Epp, Northern Plains News
Editor’s note: “This Big Day in South Dakota History” is now “This Big Week in South Dakota History.” I hope this better suits your publishing needs. If I need to adjust the day and time I need to release this or you need a black and white logo, please let me know at editor@nplainsnews.com. I’ve also included a version that has all the sources and links to the information.
July 14, 1840: Congressman John L. Jolley Born in Montreal
John Lawlor Jolley, who became a leading attorney, mayor of Vermillion, Dakota Territorial legislator, and U.S. representative from South Dakota, was born in Montreal, Canada. Jolley played a key role in early state politics and has a Vermillion elementary school named in his honor.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
July 15, 1927: Coolidge Listens to Tariff Debate in Ardmore
During his "Summer White House" stay in the Black Hills, President Calvin Coolidge attended a farm gathering at the U.S. Experiment Station in Ardmore. He listened as Gov. William J. Bulow and Sen. Peter Norbeck debated tariff policy, a key issue for farmers. Coolidge observed as a guest of honor, drawing national attention to rural economic concerns.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
July 16, 1889: Dakotas Divide Property
Delegates from North Dakota and South Dakota met in Bismarck to divide Dakota Territory's property, records, and debts. This joint committee meeting was a crucial step toward statehood, ensuring both new states would receive a fair share of assets and clearing the way for their admission to the Union later that year.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
July 17, 1894: Laura Ingalls Wilder Family Leaves De Smet
Laura Ingalls Wilder, her husband Almanzo, and their daughter Rose left De Smet, S.D., heading for Mansfield, Mo., in a covered wagon. This journey, chronicled in Wilder's diary "On the Way Home," marked the start of their new life at Rocky Ridge Farm, where Laura wrote her beloved "Little House" books.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
July 18, 1992: Fire Destroys Downtown Canton Block
A fire in the early morning hours destroyed most of a downtown block in Canton. The state fire marshal's investigation focused on an apartment above the Sioux Valley News building. Eight businesses were lost, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
Source: Argus Leader, July 19 and July 22, 1992
July 19-20, 1881: Sitting Bull Arrives at Fort Buford and Surrenders
Sitting Bull, the Hunkpapa Lakota leader, arrived at Fort Buford—now in North Dakota near Williston—on July 19, 1881, with his followers. On July 20, he formally surrendered to U.S. authorities, ending years of resistance. He was later held at Fort Randall in South Dakota as a prisoner of war.
Source: Fort Buford State Historic Site
July 20, 1932: Angry Farmers Meet in Yankton
Hundreds of South Dakota farmers gathered in Yankton to demand "cost of production" prices for their goods. The meeting was part of the Farmers' Holiday Association's movement during the Great Depression, reflecting the frustration of farmers with low prices and foreclosures.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
Version with all sources and links:
July 14, 1840: John L. Jolley Born in Montreal
John Lawlor Jolley, who became a leading attorney, mayor of Vermillion, Dakota Territorial legislator, and U.S. representative from South Dakota, was born in Montreal, Canada. Jolley played a key role in early state politics and has a Vermillion elementary school named in his honor.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
Fact-check: Multiple authoritative sources confirm Jolley was born July 14, 1840, in Montreal, Canada, and served as a U.S. Representative from South Dakota[1][2][3][4].
July 15, 1927: Coolidge Listens to Tariff Debate in Ardmore
During his “Summer White House” stay in the Black Hills, President Calvin Coolidge attended a farm gathering at the U.S. Experiment Station in Ardmore. He listened as Gov. William J. Bulow and Sen. Peter Norbeck debated tariff policy, a key issue for farmers. Coolidge observed as a guest of honor, drawing national attention to rural economic concerns.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
Fact-check: National and regional newspapers, including The New York Times, confirm Coolidge attended the Ardmore event and listened to the debate on July 15, 1927[5][6].
July 16, 1889: Dakotas Divide Property
Delegates from North Dakota and South Dakota met in Bismarck to divide Dakota Territory’s property, records, and debts. This joint committee meeting was a crucial step toward statehood, ensuring both new states would receive a fair share of assets and clearing the way for their admission to the Union later that year.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
Fact-check: The North Dakota State Archives and official legislative records confirm the joint committee met July 16, 1889, in Bismarck to divide Dakota Territory’s assets[7][8].
July 17, 1894: Laura Ingalls Wilder Family Leaves De Smet
Laura Ingalls Wilder, her husband Almanzo, and their daughter Rose left De Smet, S.D., heading for Mansfield, Mo., in a covered wagon. This journey, chronicled in Wilder’s diary “On the Way Home,” marked the start of their new life at Rocky Ridge Farm, where Laura wrote her beloved “Little House” books.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
Fact-check: Multiple sources, including the National Archives and historical timelines, confirm the Wilders left De Smet on July 17, 1894[9][10][11].
July 18, 1992: Fire Destroys Downtown Canton Block
A fire in the early morning hours destroyed most of a downtown block in Canton. The state fire marshal’s investigation focused on an apartment above the Sioux Valley News building. Eight businesses were lost, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
Source: Argus Leader, July 19 and July 22, 1992 (OCR preview)[12]
Fact-check: Contemporary news coverage confirms the fire occurred in Canton, SD, on July 18, 1992, destroyed most of a downtown block, and was investigated by the state fire marshal, with the origin traced to the Sioux Valley News building apartment[12].
July 19–20, 1881: Sitting Bull Arrives at Fort Buford and Surrenders
Sitting Bull, the Hunkpapa Lakota leader, arrived at Fort Buford—now in North Dakota near Williston—on July 19, 1881, with his followers. On July 20, he formally surrendered to U.S. authorities, ending years of resistance. He was later held at Fort Randall in South Dakota as a prisoner of war.
Source: Fort Buford State Historic Site
Fact-check: Academic and primary sources confirm Sitting Bull arrived at Fort Buford on July 19 and formally surrendered on July 20, 1881[13][14][15].
July 20, 1932: Farmers Meet in Yankton
Hundreds of South Dakota farmers gathered in Yankton to demand “cost of production” prices for their goods. The meeting was part of the Farmers’ Holiday Association’s movement during the Great Depression, reflecting frustration with low prices and foreclosures.
Source: This Big Day in South Dakota History
Fact-check: The Farmers’ Holiday Association’s activities in South Dakota, including the July 1932 Yankton meeting, are confirmed by academic and historical sources[9].
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1. https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/J000203
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_L._Jolley
3. http://files.usgwarchives.net/sd/biography/kingsbury/v4/jolley.txt
4. https://archivesandspecialcollections.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/first-mayor-of-vermillion/
6.
https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19270717.1.2
7. https://www.history.nd.gov/archives/stateagencies/dtrecords.html
8. https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/18-1889/regular/constitutional-convention/1889cc-journal.pdf
10. https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/eyewitness/html.php?section=23
11. https://truewestmagazine.com/article/on-the-trail-of-laura-ingalls-wilder/
12. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/240067516/
13. https://news.prairiepublic.org/show/dakota-datebook-archive/2022-05-19/sitting-bull-surrender
15. https://www.lib.montana.edu/digital/objects/coll2204/2204-B05-F34.pdf