Cover Photo: THE CASTLE, five miles west of Cedar Pass and just west of Norbeck Pass, is a spectacular saw-tooth ridge which was named by early local ranchers. The spires rise more than 200 feet above the Fossil Exhibit Trail (see Figure 28) and approximately 450 feet above the lower grassland plains which are out of view on the left. The ridge is an eroded remnant of rock layers which formerly covered Badlands National Monument and surrounding areas. HISTORY OF BADLANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT and The White River (Big) Badlands of South Dakota by Ray H. Mattison and Robert A. Grom edited by Joanne W. Stockert [Illustration: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE] Bulletin No. 1 Published 1968 by the Badlands Natural History Association Badlands National Monument Interior, South Dakota 57750 Printed at Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S.A. By Espe Printing Company First Edition Library of Congress Catalog Number: 68-19055 This booklet is published by the Badlands Natural History Association, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to assisting the National Park Service in its scientific, educational, historical, and interpretive activities at Badlands National Monument. Organized in April 1959, the association is incorporated under the laws of the State of South Dakota. It is recognized by the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior, as an official cooperating organization. A list of mail-sales items handled by the association may be obtained free by sending a card or letter to the address shown on the title page. The Badlands Natural History Association wishes to thank the many local people who have contributed their know-how and resources in making this publication possible. CONTENTS Introduction 7 Chronology of Badlands National Monument and the White River (Big) Badlands 9 Early Indians and Explorers 11 The Settlers Come 23 Legislation for Park Establishment 27 The Depression Years 37 Early Development of the National Monument 43 Mission 66 Development 59