Everyone knows about South Dakota and all of our one-of-a-kind attractions, but did you know that we were also the first to do some really big things? Whether you knew or not, read on as we discover these five South Dakota firsts that make a trip here that much more interesting.

1. One of the first complete skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus Rex was found in South Dakota.
Wikimedia Commons
Discovered near the small town of Faith in 1990 by explorer and fossil collector Sue Hendrickson, the T-Rex was the first specimen of its kind, as it was more than 90% complete. "Sue" now resides at the Field Museum in Chicago after undergoing a long battle over who was the rightful owner of the remains. (The bones were eventually auctioned off to the highest bidder, which was Field at $7.6M!)
2. The first modern hot air balloon was flown in Sioux Falls.
Flickr/DAN
Another one of the many interesting fun facts about South Dakota is about the hot air balloon. While the original hot air balloon was created in France in the late 1700s, it was revised and made safer in the 1960s by Raven Industries in Sioux Falls!

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3. In 2001, a first-of-its-kind WWII Memorial opened at the Capitol in Pierre.
S F Barham/Google Maps
As per the South Dakota Department of Tourism, the "World War II Memorial depicts six soldiers fresh off the battlefield, posed in an eternal salute with Capitol Lake as their backdrop." If you have family or friends who have ever served, you will want to see this stunning tribute for yourself.
4. South Dakota pays homage to the spud in an innovative new way!
Clark Potato Day Facebook
In an effort to celebrate this profitable and important area food, the town of Clark began its annual Potato Days, which consists of mashed potato wrestling, recipe competitions, and even potato decorating! Since it first began in 1991, this quirky festival has become a state-wide favorite and takes place the first weekend of August.
5. SoDak was the first place in the world to ever experience a 49° temperature increase in less than 5 minutes.
Flickr/J Swanstrom (Never enough time...)
Can you imagine the weather changing from -4° to 49° in 2 minutes flat?! That's exactly what happened in 1943 when the Black Hills region experienced this rare phenomenon.

Have you ever been to any of these exciting places? If so, which ones were your favorites? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

For even more fascinating history, check out These 12 Rare Photos Show South Dakota’s Gold Rush History Like Never Before.

If you’re still in the mood for more South Dakota adventures, take a look at this video:

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More adventures in South Dakota

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | May 31, 2023

Where can we find lakes in South Dakota?

  • Legion Lake in the Black Hills in East Custer features stunning sheer cliffs and picturesque views of the surrounding natural landscape.
  • Pactola Lake in West Pennington is the largest reservoir in the region and features 14 miles of shoreline.
  • Horse Thief Lake in Mount Rushmore (South Dakota and Utah) features dramatic cliffs and abundant tree areas.

Read on to learn about some of the many other beautiful lakes in South Dakota.

Where can we find the best pizza in South Dakota?

  • Lintz Bros Pizza in Hermosa says that they can prove that “anything can be turned into a pizza.”
  • Thatzza Pizza in Aberdeen serves your traditional, as well as a daily featured slice, pizza.
  • Dough Trader Pizza in Spearfish serves signature pizzas, salads, and appetizers. It is a cash-only enterprise.

Read on to learn about some of the many other delicious places to get pizza in South Dakota.

Where can we find museums in South Dakota?

  • The International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn specializes in all types of vinegar and tastings.
  • The South Dakota Air and Space Museum in Elder is located on the property of the Ellsworth Air Force Base. It features air and spacecrafts, exhibits, and other relics.
  • The Adams Museum in Deadwood showcases a wealth of ancient relics including a 7.346 troy-ounce gold nugget and one-of-a-kind dinosaur remnants.

Read on to learn about some of the many other interesting museums in South Dakota.

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