Pioneer

The Black Hills history is rich with the stories of a pioneer man and woman traveling across the land to make a better life for their family. By exploring the lives of these early pioneers, we are able to put together stories of how they lived back then and how their lives have influenced our lives here in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Your journey leads you to the not-so-distant past when mountain men, military expeditions, and miners first set foot in the Black Hills. Illuminated story walls guide you from the European settlers' first encounter of the Black Hills to the historic Battle of Little Big Horn and ultimately to the modern-day reconciliation with Wounded Knee and other historical events. See how the discovery of gold captured young America's imagination. Encounter Jim Bridger, General George Armstrong Custer, Wild Bill Hickock, as well as the great Sioux leaders, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Red Cloud - they all made their mark on Black Hills history here, and they will leave an indelible impression on you.

From their daring lives, we can learn immense knowledge about the early pioneer who made landfall in the Black Hills and how the Black Hills history was shaped by their lives. The battles, the early discoveries, the bonds made and bonds broken, all shaped how our lives are now. The pioneer history is a unique one filled with trials and tribulations, and it is all on display at the Journey Museum and Learning Center for you to learn from.