South Dakota (U.S. state)/Timelines

1861: Dakota Territory created by U.S. Congress out of the Nebraska Territory; capital at Yankton 1862: Homestead Act passed by U.S. Congress 1875-76: Black Hills Gold Rush 1878-87:The "Dakota Boom" brings massive influx of settlers to Dakota Territory 1880: Railroad arrives in Pierre 1883:Removal of Territorial capital from Yankton to Bismarck (currently in North Dakota) 1883:Montana and Wyoming Territories created out of Dakota Territory which now consists of the present-day states of North Dakota and South Dakota 1886-87:Major drought in the Dakotas 1889:Dakota Territory split into North Dakota and South Dakota 1889:South Dakota statehood, capital at Pierre