1858. Yankton Indians make treaty relinquishing title to lands between Big Sioux and Missouri.
- Mrs. Goodwin, first white woman settler, arrives at Sioux Falls.
- Settlement at Medary destroyed by Smutty Bear, Yankton Sioux.
- Settlers at Sioux Falls build and fortify Fort Sod.
- Provisional government organized. Legislature elected and convened. Alpheus G. Fuller sent as delegate to Congress. Henry Masters, governor.
1859. Yankton treaty ratified. July 10 Indians surrender lands. Yankton, Vermilion, and Bon Homme founded.
- Dakota Democrat newspaper established by Samuel J. Albright. Governor Masters dies. New legislature elected at Sioux Falls. Jefferson P. Kidder elected delegate to Congress. Wilmot W. Brookings provisional governor.
1860. First church society organized at Vermilion by Presbyterians.
- First school opened at Vermilion.
- First schoolhouse built at Bon Homme.
1861. Dakota Territory erected by Congress March 2. Dr. William Jayne appointed governor. Establishes temporary capital at Yankton. Calls election for legislature and delegate to Congress. John B. S. Todd elected delegate.
1862. First territorial legislature, "the Pony Congress," meets March 17.
- Company A, Dakota cavalry, organized at Yankton.
- Great Indian Outbreak in Minnesota, August 18. The Amidons massacred at Sioux Falls. Settlers flee in wild panic. Stockade at Yankton. All men called to arms.
1863. Governor Jayne goes to Congress. Newton Edmunds appointed governor.
- Company B, Dakota cavalry, organized at Elkpoint.
1865. War of Outbreak ended by treaty at Fort Pierre. Montana road ordered built.
1866. Red Cloud war begins.
- Andrew J. Faulk succeeds Newton Edmunds.
- Great affliction of grasshoppers. Crops eaten up.
1868. Red Cloud war ends. Great Sioux reservation created by treaty.
