Dakota Territory - Life in Dakota Territory

Life in Dakota Territory

After becoming an organized territory, the population increased very slowly during the early years and then very rapidly with the "Dakota Boom" from 1870 to 1880. The white population grew slowly for a number of reasons. Mainly, the Sioux Indians were considered very hostile and a threat to early settlers. They were gradually defeated and were not as severe a threat. The population increase can largely be attributed to the growth of railroads, specifically the Northern Pacific Railroad. Settlers that came to the Dakota Territory were from other western territories as well as many from Northern and Western Europe. These included large numbers of Norwegians, Germans, Swedes, and Canadians.

Commerce was organized around agriculture with wheat being the territory's main cash crop. Other economic activities included mining and cattle ranching. Gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874 and attracted more settlers. The population surge increased the demand for meat spurring expanded cattle ranching on the territory's vast open ranges. Economic hardship hit the territory in the 1880s due to lower wheat prices and a drought.