Local Lou14 Jun 2023

1870s Grasshopper Invasions

Here is a little remembered piece of Sioux Falls South Dakota history. A several year wave of grasshopper invasions hit Dakota Territory but did you know these invasions were widespread from Canada to Texas?

Beginning in 1873, for four consecutive summers great swarms of grasshoppers riding prevailing winds reached the Midwestern states and territories where they landed and destroyed farmers' field crops. Although several huge clouds of grasshoppers passed over Sioux Falls the first year, damage was minimal in this area.
In both 1874 and 1876, however, an incalculable number of grasshoppers arrived, darkening the sky and making sounds similar to "thousands of scissors cutting and snipping." After landing, the large insects piled in some places to depths of five inches.
They devoured everything edible in their paths, including crops, door sashes, window sills, shovel handles, leather boots, and fence posts. The 'hoppers feasted on family vegetable gardens and stripped buildings of their paint. Without crops to sell to provide for future living and farm expenses and to pay for seed for next year's spring planting, thousands of rural families were destitute.
Immigration into Dakota Territory slowed to a trickle. After the second summer of devastation, a number of penniless settlers sold their farms, including the first owner of the land which today is Spellerberg Park

Extinction of the Rocky Mountain Locust | BioScience | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

Jeffrey A. Lockwood | Locust (jeffreylockwoodauthor.com)

Locust - Google Books

On the Banks of Plum Creek - Google Books

A South Dakota Guide - Google Books

https://books.google.com/books?id=23UUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA142&dq=south+dakota+grasshopper+plague&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwju9bP5t8H_AhUpADQIHVA5CDkQ6AF6BAgDEAI

Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota - Google Books

The Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus) plague in Nebraska | Britannica

The Development of American Agriculture - Google Books

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(88)

Digging Out of Neglect: Restoring Mount Pleasant and Remembering Dr. Richard Lamb

Inside the remarkable comeback of Sioux Falls’ oldest cemetery, a place where history was nearly lost, then lovingly revived. After Mount Pleasant Cemetery fell into disrepair and lost its nonprofit s...

1 Jun 20min

From Holland to the Heartland: Orange City’s Story — Local Lou Podcast

Discover the rich Dutch heritage of Orange City, Iowa in this special Tulip Festival episode of the Local Lou Podcast. For nearly 90 years, Orange City’s Tulip Festival has celebrated the traditions, ...

14 Mai 15min

State Theatre at 100: Blake Ginithan on Why Movies Still Matter

Discover the magic of Sioux Falls' iconic State Theatre, where history meets modern movie magic! We kick off with a nod to the beloved Clifford Knoll, whose passion for film and service set the stage ...

3 Mai 39min

Saving the State Theatre: The 1991 Hanson Fire + 2026 Milestone with Steven Dahlmeier

In this episode of the Local Lou Podcast, we revisit the 1991 Hanson Building fire. What started as a dumpster fire turned into a massive blaze that destroyed 16 businesses and came dangerously close ...

22 Apr 1h 11min

Inside the State Theatre Experience with Sioux Falls’ #1 Movie Fan, Derrick

We’re keeping the celebration rolling as the State Theatre hits its 100‑year milestone. And who better to join the conversation than Derrick Veurink — movie lover, history buff, and the unofficial num...

5 Apr 1h 44min

Saving a Sioux Falls Icon: Allison Weiland on the State Theatre

Join me during a conversation with Allison, the executive director of Sioux Falls' historic State Theater. Allison shares the captivating journey of restoring and revitalizing this cultural landmark i...

30 Mar 54min

Celebrating Influential Women in Sioux Falls History While Talking With Tasha

Talkin With Tasha – a podcast for everyone and Lou as we have a conversation about the inspiring stories of influential women in Sioux Falls history, explore the origins of the city’s first library, a...

10 Mar 48min

Kevin and Lou Talk Pettigrew

Looking back at Sioux Falls history with Kevin Gantz, the curator of education at the Sioux Land Heritage Museums. We're talking about RF Pettigrew, a pivotal figure in the city's story. Kevin gives u...

16 Feb 1h 10min