Sod house construction in South Dakota has roots in the ingenuity of Indigenous communities long before settlers arrived. When pioneers moved to the treeless Great Plains in the late 19th century, they adapted similar techniques, cutting thick blocks of prairie sod to construct insulated homes known as "soddies."

These structures provided protection from harsh weather but were prone to leaks and pests. The use of sod reflects a shared resourcefulness in utilizing the land, with settlers building on traditions established by Indigenous peoples to survive and adapt to the prairie environment.
















 










g