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History 605 explores the history of South Dakota, the northern Great Plains, and the Midwest. South Dakota’s State Historian Ben Jones will visit with guests about their books, museum exhibits and artifacts, and historic sites in the state and region. Along the way, you’ll learn how to think, not what to think, about history and the people of the past.The host is Dr. Ben Jones, State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society. Ben grew up in Sioux Falls and De Smet, served in various locations around the world while in the USAF. He returned to South Dakota to become Dean of Arts and Sciences at Dakota State University, then served as South Dakota’s 15th Secretary of Education. Along the way, he earned his PhD in history and enjoys sharing history’s insights with all of you.

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Check latest episodes from History 605 podcast

From the Archives: What can we know about the Lakota when using Lakota sources and centered around Lakota cultural ways, points of view, and debates?

2026/02/02

David C. Posthumus and Ben Jones discuss Posthumus' new book and the Lakota’s own 19th- and early-20th-century voices that tell the story of a vibrant culture undergoing momentous change.

From the Archives: Alfred G. Dahlin's First World War Experiences

2026/01/19

Since this episode first aired, Corey Christenson’s article on Alfred Dahlin’s World War I experiences earned the 2025 Schell Prize for Best Article in South Dakota History. The story began when the Dahlin family donated Alfred’s uniform and gear, sparking Corey’s quest to uncover his remarkable journey. Serving in a unit drawn from the American West, Dahlin faced the brutal realities of war—but his wounds and recovery reveal a deeply personal and insightful perspective on a global conflict.

From the Archives: The Revolution in the Mind of the American People

2026/01/05

Ben Jones speaks with author Bradley Thompson and discusses what John Adams and others thought was the more important revolution that occurred in the minds of the American people.

From the Archives: Exploring with Custer

2025/12/22

In this episode from the archives, Ben Jones talks with Photographer Paul Horsted to discuss his books and work that detail George Custer's 1874 Black Hills expedition.

Season 5, Ep 20: The coming state museum in our 100th episode

2025/12/08

David Grabitske and Dan Moeckly join Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 to discuss how they've worked to design South Dakota's stories for the upcoming new museum exhibits.

Season 5, Ep 19: Wandering Willy, the tale of South Dakota's Embezzling Treasurer

2025/11/24

On this episode of History 605, Ben Jones talks about the tale of South Dakota's Embezzling Treasurer.

Season 5, Ep 18: South Dakota's First War

2025/11/10

On this episode of History 605, Ben Jones delves into South Dakota's first wartime experience, which occurred in the aftermath of the events in Cuba and the nation's declaration of war against Spain in 1898.

Season 5, Ep 16: Buffalo Nation

2025/10/13

Historian and author Ken Zontek joins Ben Jones on History 605 to discuss the ways in which American Indian communities started to recover the buffalo population.

Season 5, Ep 15: An America 250 Special, "Daniel Morgan: A Revolutionary Life."

2025/09/29

In the run-up to marking the nation's 250th anniversary next year, Ben Jones talks to historian, author, and podcaster Albert Zambone about his biography of Daniel Morgan.

Season 5, Ep 14: Deadwood: Gold, Guns, and Greed in the American West

2025/09/15

Peter Cozzens joins History 605 to discuss his new book on Deadwood and the fascinating people who participated in the gold rush of 1876 and beyond.

Season 5, Ep 13: The Homestake Gold Mine.

2025/09/02

On this episode of History 605, Ben and Braeden walk through the history of the Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota.

Season 5, Ep 12: "Too Good to be Altogether Lost."

2025/08/18

Pamela Smith Hill joins Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 for a conversation on her new book about the value of the Little House books to people of all ages.

Season 5, Ep 11: How homesteading influenced the nation's first African American filmmaker

2025/08/04

Jacob Friefeld, of the University of Illinois - Springfield, joins Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 to discuss the life and work of Oscar Micheaux.

S5, Episode 10: The Room Where it Happened - the 1962 GOP Senate Nomination

2025/07/22

On this edition of History 605, Ben Jones discusses an oral history interview with Rolly Samp that described how, as Congressman Ben Reifel's brand-new state director, he experienced the political bargains made when the party was deadlocked about who would be the nominee to face George McGovern that November.

S5 Ep 9: The Age of the Borderlands.

2025/07/07

Andrew Isenberg joins Ben Jones again to discuss his new book, "The Age of the Borderlands: Indians, Slaves and the Limits of Manifest Destiny."