What Put These 10 South Dakota Towns on the National Map

Many "Out of Staters" might say there's not much they know about South Dakota, outside of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. They know the faces on the mountain and the endless stretches of I-90, but they might not realize how many of our small towns have left a permanent mark on American history, pop culture, and even the larger world.

From the lawless streets of an 1800s Gold Rush camp to a tiny pharmacy that became a global marketing legend, South Dakota is home to places that punched way above their weight class to grab the national spotlight. Some of these towns became famous for their beauty, while others earned their reputation through more infamous means.

These ten towns are more than just tourist stops on a highway. They are the places that put South Dakota on the map for good. Does your hometown make the list? Take a look below and find out.

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Deadwood - The Wildest Town in the Old West

The small town of Deadwood gained national fame during the 1870s Gold Rush, but it's the "infamous" part that sticks: Many Americans know it as the place where Wild Bill Hickok was murdered during a poker game and where the legendary Calamity Jane is buried. These days, the entire town is a National Historic Landmark, and deservingly so.

Keystone - The Gateway to Mount Rushmore

While the monument itself is the star, Keystone is the town that grew to support it throughout the generations. It’s known as the "home base" for the millions of Americans who travel each year to see the four presidents carved into the granite.

Wall -  Home of the world-famous Wall Drug

Wall became a household name across the country (and the world) back in the 1930s... Why? Because of its legendary billboard campaign promising "Free Ice Water", of course! It turned a tiny Depression-era pharmacy into one of the most famous roadside attractions in America.

By the way, if you've ever wondered how many Wall Drug signs there really are, check out this article.

Sturgis - The Motorcycle Capital of the World

Every August, this small town explodes in size (from 7,000 to 700,000) as it hosts the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. It’s become a national phenomenon that brings in hundreds of thousands of people, putting it on the map for anyone who has ever seen a Harley-Davidson.

Yankton - The Dakota Territory's First Capital

Yankton has deep historical roots as the "Mother City of the Dakotas." It was the original seat of government for a large swath of territory that eventually became  North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.

You can learn more about the town's history as the capital of "Dakota Territory", along with how it shaped the journey of Lewis & Clark at the local Mead Museum on the city's north side.

De Smet - Little House on the Prairie

De Smet is famous as the "Little Town on the Prairie" because it was the childhood home of the legendary Laura Ingalls Wilder. The town is a pilgrimage site for diehard fans of her books and long-running TV show, giving it a permanent spot in American pop-culture history.

Pierre - The Second Smallest State Capital in the U.S.

As the state capital, Pierre is a staple of geography quizzes across the country. It's commonly one of the hardest state capitals to remember and is also one of the most mispronounced. With a population of around 13,000, it's not quite the smallest of all the state capitals, though. That honor belongs to Montpelier, Vermont, with around 7,000 residents.

Hot Springs - Home of the Mammoths

This town gained massive scientific fame when a construction project in 1974 uncovered the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world. It’s now a world-renowned active paleontological dig site that draws researchers and tourists alike.

Mitchell - The World's Only Corn Palace

Mitchell earned its spot on the national map with folk art. The Corn Palace, decorated annually in elaborate murals made of actual corn and grains, is a unique piece of Americana that has been drawing national tourists since way back in 1892.

Chamberlain - East River Meets West River, and Home of the Dignity Statue

Chamberlain gained a new wave of national attention with the installation of the 50-foot-tall Dignity of Earth and Sky statue. The stunning tribute to the Native American cultures of the Great Plains has become one of the most photographed landmarks along I-90.