History 605 History 605 explores the history of South Dakota, the northern Great Plains, and the Midwest. South Dakota's State Historian Ben Jones will visit with guests about their books, museum exhibits and artifacts, and historic sites in the state and region. Along the way, you'll learn how to think, not what to think, about history and the people of the past. The host is Dr. Ben Jones, State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society. Ben grew up in Sioux Falls and De Smet, served in various locations around the world while in the USAF. He returned to South Dakota to become Dean of Arts and Sciences at Dakota State University, then served as South Dakota's 15th Secretary of Education. Along the way, he earned his Ph.D. in history and enjoys sharing history's insights with all of you.
History 605

History 605

From SDPB Radio

History 605 explores the history of South Dakota, the northern Great Plains, and the Midwest. South Dakota's State Historian Ben Jones will visit with guests about their books, museum exhibits and artifacts, and historic sites in the state and region. Along the way, you'll learn how to think, not what to think, about history and the people of the past. The host is Dr. Ben Jones, State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society. Ben grew up in Sioux Falls and De Smet, served in various locations around the world while in the USAF. He returned to South Dakota to become Dean of Arts and Sciences at Dakota State University, then served as South Dakota's 15th Secretary of Education. Along the way, he earned his Ph.D. in history and enjoys sharing history's insights with all of you.

Most Recent Episodes

History 605 S5 Ep 1: How Mount Rushmore Came to Be

State Historian Ben Jones and his assistant Braeden Kluver tell the story of the creation, carving, funding, and politics of Mount Rushmore.

History 605 from the Archives: 'The Divorce Colony'

In this edition of History 605, Ben Jones speaks to author April White, who brings us back to the high society of the Sioux Falls Cataract Hotel and how it became the place where certain women from the East Coast could escape a bad marriage.

History 605 from the Archives: The journal of Earl Neller, who hitchhiked across South Dak...

Archivist Matthew Reitzel joins Ben Jones to discuss his article in South Dakota History journal about Earl Neller, who hitchhiked across South Dakota with six children in 1933.

History 605 from the Archives: The journal of Earl Neller, who hitchhiked across South Dak...

History 605 from the Archives: The fires that made Deadwood

In this episode from the archives, Ben Jones speaks with historian David Wolff, about how the response to four of Deadwood's fires proved to be a boon to the famous Black Hills gold-mining town.

History 605 from the Archives: "How did the Wild West Turn out in Real Life?"

In this episode from the archives, Ben Jones speaks with University of South Dakota Law Professor Tom Simmons to see what happened when angry investor Peter Wintermute and Acting Territorial Governor Edwin McCook have a shootout and brawl in the midst of a Yankton public meeting.

History 605 from the Archives: "How did the Wild West Turn out in Real Life?"

History 605 S4 Ep 20: An America 250 Special: "America's Revolutionary Mind."

Bradley Thompson joins Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 to discuss the founders and the American Revolution.

History 605 S4 Ep 20: An America 250 Special: "America's Revolutionary Mind."

History 605 S4 Ep 19: Designing South Dakota's Museum

South Dakota State Historical Society Museum Curator Daniel Moeckly joins Ben Jones to discuss the state museum's efforts with the new museum design.

History 605 S4 Ep 18: A South Dakotan in the Great War

Corey Christianson joins Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 to talk about Alfred Dahlin who she chronicled in the most recent edition of South Dakota History

History 605 S4 Ep 17: Preservation with Tom Hurlburt

In this episode of History 605, Ben Jones speaks with Tom Hurlburt, President of the SD State Historical Society Trustees and principal architect of Co-op Architecture.

History 605 S4 Ep 16: South Dakota Sturdy with Joseph Graves

In this edition of History 605, Ben Jones talks with the South Dakota Secretary of Education Joseph Graves.