In 1883, in support for a new normal school, John Mauer put up a plot of land west of Spearfish Creek for sale for $800.

[3] By 1924, the school was authorized to adopt a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

[5] As a result of the outbreak of World War II in Europe, BHSU created a 12-week civil aeronautics course, which had 44 graduates in its first year.

BHSU had its first enrollment of 2,000 students for the 1968–69 academic year; this was partially due to draft evasion by men during the Vietnam War.

The local Veterans Club chartered an airplane to drop leaflets that read "America, love it or leave it" on the protesting students.

[3] In 1970, Richard Gibb of the South Dakota higher education commission proposed that BHSU be changed from a four-year college and into a junior college under a larger university system to be established in Rapid City; he also proposed that the secondary teachers' masters program be scrapped.

The Board of Regents ruled that while BHSU would remain a four-year college, the master's program would be withdrawn.

George H. W. Bush visited BHSU during his campaign for President of the United States and drew controversy when, asked if he believed that the Black Hills should be returned to the Lakota people, he replied that he did not.

Finally, the college contributes to the progress of the university, serves the needs of relevant disciplines and professions, and enhances the quality of life in our state and region through service activities.

[16] The Black Hills State University campus consists of 123 acres (50 ha) and 20 main buildings in addition to Ida Henton Park and Lyle Hare Stadium.

Clare and Josef Meier Hall, a state-of-the-art a music and classroom building, was added in the center of campus in 2003.

This extensive landscaping project created the opportunity for an ADA-accessible walkway connecting campus with the Spearfish community along St. Joe Street.

On April 24, 2017, Black Hills State University officially named the newly renovated hillside on campus "Oyate Wicaka Wita," (pronounced Ohyah'tay weecha'ka Weeta) a Lakota name meaning People/Nation Gathering Place.

The men's athletic teams include basketball, cross country, football, and track & field.

The women's athletic teams include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field, triathlon, and volleyball.