The Black Hills is a mountain range in South Dacota and Wyoming.

The name relates to the dark impression of the range when seen from a distance.

 

Native Americans had called the area home for at least 10.000 years but in the 19th century European homesteaders started to sweep in from the east.

 

In the Fort Laramy Treaty the Black Hills were designated off limits to white settlers but this only lasted a few years. When gold was discovered the US government quickly broke its own promise, took the land from the Lakota and sold it to the white miners.

 

By the end of the 20th century tourism has overtaken mining as the major industry.

 

Main tourist attractions are the heads of 4 US presidents at Mount Rushmore,

the caves and bison at Wind Cave National Park and the  long in the making Crazy Horse Memorial.

And always keep at the lookout for the abundent wildlife.

 

We spent an interesting day in the Black Hills in August 1992.