The Story
Kevin Costner opened Tatanka: Story of the Bison in 2003, just north of Deadwood on US-85, inspired by his work on "Dances with Wolves." Its centerpiece is one of the world's largest bronze installations — 17 pieces (14 charging bison and 3 Native riders) by sculptor Peggy Detmers, depicting a buffalo-jump hunt, alongside an interpretive center on Lakota history. A 2000 agreement governing the sculptures' permanent display turned litigious: cases reached the South Dakota Supreme Court in 2012 and again in 2023, after Costner listed the property for sale in 2021. The attraction remains open (2026 season), contrary to a common impression it closed in 2022.
Surprising Facts
→ The 17-piece bronze installation is among the largest in the world.
→ Costner and sculptor Peggy Detmers fought a multi-year legal battle (reaching the SD Supreme Court twice) over whether he could sell the property without the sculptures.
→ Costner's 2021 sale listing is likely the source of the mistaken impression the attraction had closed.