Badlands National Park

By facebooker_10154835033079451

  • Louisiana Purchase

    The area that would become the Dakota Territory is acquired by the Louisiana Purchase.

  • Drought

    In the Badlands area, a drought in 1861 which lasted 3 years drove the bison from the area.

  • Dakota Territory Established

  • North and South Dakota

    North and South Dakota joined the union.

  • Park Authorization

    The park is authorized, but not established.

  • FDR creates National Monument

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the proclamation actually creating Badlands National Monument.

  • Gunnery Range

    During World War II, the US government took over a portion of the Pine Ridge Reservation for use as a weapon range. That area now falls within the area of the park. It was used by the military from 1942 until 1945.

  • Badlands become a National Park

    Congress passes the legislation necessary to redesignate the monument to a National Park.