After gold was discovered in the Black Hills, settlements in and around Chamberlain boomed. A large deposit of crude manganese was also found north of the town in the bluffs along the Missouri River. In 1880 when the Milwaukee Railroad's trains reached the end of the line in Chamberlain, the area west of the river was still considered Indian land and was not widely traveled. Later, Chamberlain became a ferrying point for passengers and freight passing between the farm territory of the East and the ranch territory of the West.
Old West Museum (on US 16 and I-90 business loop - next too Familyland Campground) has Indian artifacts, pioneer items, barbed wire collection, horse drawn carriages, and Wells-Fargo items. Open 7:30 am - 9:30 pm May-August. Admission: $5
St. Joseph's Indian School (1 m north on SD 50W) serves as a school and mission for Lakota Indian children.
Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel, on campus, is adorned with stained glass windows depicting the Sacred Rites of the Sioux and the activities of the local Catholic Church. Open 8-4. Donations
Akta Lakota Museum, on the school grounds, displays historic artifacts and artwork of the Native Americans. Open 9-8 May-September. Free
West of town the road follows a section of the Old Deadwood Trail, a legendary wagon-trail and stagecoach route. The stagecoaches were destined for "uncivilized" parts; nevertheless they had certain rules. "If you drink, share the bottle." Chewing tobacco was permitted, but it was requested that you spit "...with the wind, not against it." And specified topics of conversation were forbidden: Stagecoach robberies and Indian uprisings.