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  "description": "A retrospective released by the state of South Dakota on the 125th anniversary of statehood noted that other proposals had support.",
  "path": "/fact-brief-east-west-south-north-dakota-territory-statehood/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-14T10:00:01.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.sdnewswatch.org",
  "tags": [
    "this one.",
    "125th anniversary story",
    "East and West Dakota? Here’s What Those States Would Look Like",
    "A Tale of Two States",
    "South Dakota News Watch",
    "Gigafact",
    "on the tipline",
    "Share your thoughts on this story",
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  "textContent": "## Yes.\n\nLegislation was considered to split Dakota Territory east-west at the Missouri River instead of the current north-south split that was approved in 1889.\n\nA retrospective released by the state of South Dakota on the 125th anniversary of statehood noted that the east-west proposal did have some support.\n\nThe East/West Dakota would have followed the Missouri River and aligned regions with similar geographic and cultural identities.\n\nThe north-south border decision was motivated partially by resentment between the northern and southern portions of Dakota Territory over the location of the state capital. In 1883, the territory's capital was moved from Yankton to Bismarck.\n\nOther reasons cited included separate railroad systems, economic ties to major eastern cities (Sioux Falls and Fargo) and the growth of separate systems of public institutions.\n\n_This fact brief responds to conversations such as_ this one.\n\n## Sources\n\nState of South Dakota, 125th anniversary story\n\nBigThink.com, East and West Dakota? Here’s What Those States Would Look Like\n\nMedium, A Tale of Two States\n\n* * *\n\nSouth Dakota News Watch partners with Gigafact to publish fact briefs that refute or confirm a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context. Send questions or feedback to _news@sdnewswatch.org_. Submit a question for us to answer on the tipline.\n\nShare your thoughts on this story\n\n_**South Dakota News Watch** is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at _sdnewswatch.org_.**Contact freelance reporter Michael Klinski:** michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org._",
  "title": "Fact brief: Was an east-west split of Dakota Territory considered?",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-14T11:16:10.955Z"
}