History & Culture

The Badlands are recognized by many people -- past and present -- to be a spectacular place. What kind of human history does the park hold?

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History & Culture Portal

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  Mako Sica: Naming the Badlands

  Ever wonder how such a good place got named "Badlands?" Read here to find out who named the park and why they chose the name.

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  Archaeology

  According to archaeological finds, people have been in and around the Badlands for as long as 12,000 years. Learn more about park arch here!

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  The Dawes Act

  The Dawes Act affected many Native American tribes. Learn how this law changed the lives of the Lakota who lived in the Badlands area.

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  Aerial Gunnery Range

  During World War II, the US Air Force seized land located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for use as a bombing range. Learn more here.

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  Homesteading

  The Homesteading Acts brought more and more people to the Badlands region. Learn more about homesteaders and their lives in this article.