In the 1930s, at the height of the Great Depression, the federal government put thousands of unemployed writers to work in the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Out of their efforts came the American Guide series, the first comprehensive guidebooks to the people, resources, and traditions of each state in the union. The WPA Guide to South Dakota is a candid, detailed, and lively introduction to the state and its people. Much has changed since the book's first publication in 1938, when the authors noted, "South Dakota has been, and still is, a pioneer state." But the book vividly recaptures the era when no driver's licenses were required, when liquor could not be sold on election days until after 5:00 PM, when Pierre's recreational groups included polo riders and skeet shooters, when the Morrell packing plant at Sioux Falls offered free tours on weekdays. This unique guide has much more than nostalgia to offer today's readers. Twenty-eight auto tours and nine city tours tell the stories of the state's people and places and offer a fascinating alternative to freeway travel. Essays on major themes such as native peoples, history, architecture, transportation, and recreation provide an authentic self-portrait of 1930s South Dakota in humorous, loving, and literary prose. A new introduction by historian John E. Miller shares the story behind the American Guide series and celebrates those distinctly South Dakotan qualities preserved in this decades-old volume-qualities that hold true today. This time-traveler's guide to South Dakota is an evocative reminder of the state's history and a challenge to contemporary readers who seek to find how that past lives on in the present day. Book jacket.

A snapshot of South Dakota as our grandparents knew it.

During the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor.

During the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor. According to the WPA Guide to North Dakota, there is more to the Northern Prairie State than meets the eye. Primarily an agricultural state, cattle ranching and the pioneer spirit are ever-present in this guide. Also, beautiful photographs of the Great Plains make this a visually pleasing guide the Peace Garden State.

Tired of the same old tourist traps? Whether you’re a visitor or a local looking for something different, let The Dakotas Off the Beaten Path show you a side of North and South Dakota you never knew existed. See the house Pa built during the annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in De Smet, South Dakota. Excavate mammoth bones in the Black Hills or spelunk in some of the world’s largest caves. Dance to Norwegian fiddles at North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, or lose yourself in the brilliant splendor of a powwow. So if you’ve “been there, done that” one too many times, get off the main road and venture Off the Beaten Path.

Originally published during the Great Depression, The WPA Guide nevertheless finds much to celebrate in the heartland of America. Nearly three dozen essays highlight Iowa's demography, economy, and culture but the heart of the book is a detailed traveler's guide, organized as seventeen different tours, that directs the reader to communities of particual social and historical interest.

No area of the United States was untouched by the Great Depression, but the severity in which people experienced those significant years depended in large part on where in the nation they lived. While dust choked the life out of Americans in the plains, apples grew in abundance in the Northwest. Unemployment-driven poverty robbed urban dwellers of hearth and home, while Upper-plains farm women traded eggs and chickens like money. This bibliography describes the youth literature and relevant resources written about the Great Depression, all categorized by geographical location. Students, educators, historians, and writers can use this book to find literature specific to their state or region, gaining a greater understanding of what the Great Depression was like in their locale. The Great Depression was a pivotal period in our nation's history. This annotated bibliography guides readers to biographies; oral histories, memoirs, and recollections; photograph collections; fiction and nonfiction books; picture books; international resources; and other reference sources. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) state guides are included, as well as literature about the federal theater, arts, and music projects. A comprehensive listing of museums and state historical societies complement this reference. For readers interested in learning about the Great Depression, this is a must-have resource.

During the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor. Published in 1941, on the fiftieth anniversary of the state, the WPA Guide to Wyoming is a thorough reflection of both the history of the state’s pioneer routes as well an attempt to capture the beauty of the surrounding area in photographs. Descriptions of the Equality State’s livestock and oil industries are included as well as pictorial documentation of the area’s vast expanses of open land.

Experience the open skies of the Badlands, the rolling prairies of the West, and one of America's most famous monuments with Moon Mount Rushmore & The Black Hills. Inside you'll find: Flexible Itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas for day trips, a week on the road, families with kids, wildlife enthusiasts, and more The Best Hikes Near Mount Rushmore: Individual trail maps, mileage and elevation gains, and trailheads Experience the Outdoors: Find ideas for horseback riding, rock climbing, backpacking, kayaking, biking, and more. Say hello to the carved granite faces of the presidents and hike red rock canyons and hills covered in ponderosa pine. Spot bison, elk, and mountain goats and see wild horses roaming the grassy flatlands. Climb the tallest peak east of the Rockies or navigate the underground passages of Wind Cave National Park Respectfully connect with Native American culture: Visit historic sites, galleries, and museums to learn about Lakota history, see the Crazy Horse Memorial, or attend a powwow ceremony to watch traditional dances and sample authentic cuisine How to Get There: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, park fees, and tours Where to Stay: Campgrounds, resorts, hotels, and more Planning Tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Expertise and Know-How: Experience the best of this stunning region with Laural A. Bidwell, a local of South Dakota's Black Hills Get to know Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills your way with Moon. Craving more of the great outdoors? Check out Moon USA National Parks, Moon Zion & Bryce, or Moon Yellowstone & Grand Teton.

Established in 1935 in the midst of the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was one of the most ambitious federal jobs programs ever created in the U.S. At its peak, the program provided work for almost 3.5 million Americans, employing more than 8 million people across its eight-year history in projects ranging from constructing public buildings and roads to collecting oral histories and painting murals. The story of the WPA provides a perfect entry point into the history of the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the early years of World War II, while its example remains relevant today as the debate over government's role in the economy continues. In this concise narrative, supplemented by primary documents and an engaging companion website, Sandra Opdycke explains the national crisis from which the WPA emerged, traces the program's history, and explores what it tells us about American society in the 1930s and 1940s. Covering central themes including the politics, race, class, gender, and the coming of World War II, The WPA: Creating Jobs During the Great Depression introduces readers to a key period of crisis and change in U.S. history.