“State University of South Dakota”

The first territorial legislature of Dakota, on April 21, 1862, located at the University of Dakota at Vermillion. Memorials for aid to endow the university were addressed to congress by legislatures of 1862, 1865, and 1874.

In 1881, eight years before Dakota was admitted to the Union as two states, congress granted 72 sections of public land to Dakota ‘for the use and support of a university when it should be admitted as a state to the Union.'

Citizens of Vermillion then formed a corporate association ‘to locate the University of Dakota in fact,' securing the cooperation of Clay county, which on March 13, 1882, issued bonds amounting to $10,000 for the erection of buildings.

The association constructed the west wing of the University hall upon a campus of 20 acres donated by public-spirited citizens. Class work was begun October 16, 1882, in the Clay county court house. Ephraim M. Epstein, M.D., was elected principal. During the school year 1882-83, classes were in session 24 weeks and the total attendance was 69.

The territorial legislature of 1883 accepted the free gift to the territory of buildings begun and granted an appropriation for their extension and for meeting current expenses.

The university charter was approved by the governor, February 3, 1883. Classes were held for the first time on the present campus September 17, 1883. John Wesley Simonds, A.M., was elected president.

Clay County, northeast edge of USD campus