All of these images were taken by Chicago photographer J.C.H. Grabill between 1886 and 1892 in South Dakota—not an easy time for the Indians of the area.

It was a time of upheaval for Natives. The railroad was being built through their ancestral homelands, the Massacre of Wounded Knee devastated the Lakota in 1890, and their land was being mined by whites with Westward Expansion on their minds.

As Chicago Magazine pointed out, “Grabill’s photography career lasted a mere seven years, but seven critical ones, and his legacy is a remarkable document of America in the era of Manifest Destiny.”

Grabill released all 188 images he took from 1886-1892 to the Library of Congress. Here are 25 of them.

The caption says: “At the Dance” Part of 8th U.S. Cavalry and 3rd Infantry at the great Indian Grass Dance on Reservation.

[text_ad]

Chief Rocky Bear’s Home.
This caption says: The Great Hostile Camp.
Devil’s Tower or Bear Lodge (Mato undefined Tepee of the Indians), on the Belle Fourche. Taken near Sturgis, South Dakota in 1887.
Indian chiefs who counciled with Gen. Miles and setteled [sic] the Indian War — 1. Standing Bull. 2. Bear Who Looks Back Running [Stands and Looks Back]. 3. Has the Big White Horse. 4. White Tail. 5. Liver [Living] Bear. 6. Little Thunder. 7. Bull Dog. 8. High Hawk. 9. Lame. 10. Eagle Pipe.
The caption says: Hostile Indian Camp and was taken near Deadwood, South Dakota in 1891

[text_ad]

The caption says: Indian Chiefs who counciled with Gen. Miles and settled the Indian War. 1 Standing Bull. 2 Bear who looks back running. 3 Has the Big white horse. 4 White Tail. 5 Liver Bear. 6 Little Thunder. 7 Bull Dog. 8 High Hawk. 9 Lame. 10 Eagle Pipe. Taken in Deadwood, South Dakota in 1891.
Indian chiefs and U.S. officials. 1. Two Strike. 2. Crow Dog. 3. Short Bull. 4. High Hawk. 5. Two Lance. 6. Kicking Bear. 7. Good Voice. 8. Thunder Hawk. 9. Rocky Bear. 10. Young Man Afraid of His Horse. 11. American Horse. 12. W.F. Cody (Buffalo Bill). 13. Maj. J.M. Burk. 14. J.C. Craiger. 15. J. McDonald. 16. J.G. Worth. Taken at Pine Ridge, January 16, 1891.
The caption says: Indian Council in a hostile camp. Taken near Deadwood, South Dakota in 1891.
The caption says: The Indian Girl’s Home. A group of Indian girls and Indian police at Big Foot’s village on reservation.
Indian Warriors. Mr. Bear-that-Runs-and-Growls, Mr. Warrior, Mr. One-Tooth-Gone, Mr. Sole (bottom of foot), Mr. Make-it-Long
“Little,” the instigator of Indian Revolt at Pine Ridge, 1890. The image does not say who the other two men are.
“Little,” the instigator of Indian Revolt at Pine Ridge,
The caption says: Famous Battery “E” of 1st Artillery. These brave men and the Hotchkiss gun that Big Foot’s Indians thought were toys, together with the fighting 7th what’s left of Gen. Custer’s boys, sent 200 Indians to that Heaven which the ghost dancer enjoys. This checked the Indian noise and Gen. Miles with staff returned to Illinois.
The caption says: “Home of Mrs. American Horse.” Visiting squaws at Mrs. A’s home in hostile camp.
A young Oglala girl sitting in front of a tipi, with a puppy beside her, probably on or near Pine Ridge Reservation. Taken near Deadwood, South Dakota in 1891.
This caption says: Tasunka, Ota (alias Plenty Horse[s]), the slayer of Lieut. Casey, near Pine Ridge, S.D.
The caption says: A pretty group at an Indian tent. It is dated 1891.
The inscription on this images says: “Red Cloud and American Horse.” The two most noted chiefs now living. It was taken by Grabill in 1891.

[text_ad]

The caption says: U.S. School for Indians at Pine Ridge 1891.
The caption says: “Signal Rock.” Elk Canyon on Black Hills & Ft. P. R.R.
Skinning beef near Sturgis, South Dakota.
The caption says: Three of Uncle Sam’s Pets. We get rations every 29 days. Our pulse is good. Expressive medium. We put in 60 minutes each hour in our present attitude.
The caption says: “Villa of Brule” The great hostile Indian Camp on River Brule near Pine Ridge, S.D. 1891.