In the area:

As part of the western plains, southwestern Minnesota was once a sea of prairie grasses that stretched beyond the horizon. Great herds of buffalo roamed here. The Dakota Indians made their home on these plains. Later, westward expansion brought settlers from the east and from Europe, who came to farm the land. Today, the spirit and traditions of the Dakota and the early pioneers are honored at numerous museums and historic sites.

A fascinating record of prehistoric life in the area was discovered on a stretch of prairie near Windom. Now a state historic site, the Jeffers Petroglyphs include more than 2,000 rock carvings of human figures and animals, dating from 3,000 B.C. up to the 1700s.

Another prominent site of Indian history is Pipestone National Monument. Just outside the town of Pipestone, this quarry of red stone has been used for centuries by many tribes; the stone is used in ceremonial pipes. The quarry towns of Jasper, Pipestone and Luverne provided quartzite for many of the distinctive turn-of-the-century buildings found throughout the area. Downtown Pipestone includes 20 of these historic structures; a self-guided walking tour explores the historic district.

Author Laura Ingalls Wilder vividly described pioneer life in her children's books, later the basis of a popular TV show. Walnut Grove, one of her childhood homes, has a small museum dedicated to the author and puts on a pageant based on Laura's life here. A few miles southeast in Sanborn, there are two replicas of the small sod houses built by early settlers on the plains.

Other aspects of pioneer life are featured at the End-O-Line Railroad Park in Currie, the Nobles County Pioneer Village in Worthington, Tracy's Wheels Across the Prairie Museum and Fort Belmont, a reconstructed fortress in Jackson.  Lincoln County is home to Lake Benton's stately opera house and the Lincoln County Pioneer Museum in Hendricks.

In the midst of the rich farmlands of this region, pockets of woods and lakes can be found at Camden, Kilen Woods, Lake Shetek and Split Rock Creek state parks. Blue Mounds State Park features the prairie once native to these plains, complete with a small buffalo herd (list state parks).

The largest city of the area is Marshall (pop. 12,000), home to Southwest State University. Jackson is home to a speedway, Ft. Belmont, Fair Village, and other historical and recreational attractions.