10 Interesting Facts About Pierre, South Dakota

Facts About Pierre

Facts About Pierre

Pierre is the capital city of South Dakota, located on the Missouri River in the central part of the state. It has a population of around 14,000 people. Here are a few facts about the city:

  1. Pierre was named after Pierre Chouteau Jr., a fur trader who established a trading post in the area in the early 19th century.
  2. Pierre was founded in 1880 on the east bank of the Missouri River opposite Fort Pierre, a former trading post that developed as a community.
  3. The city is home to the South Dakota State Capitol, the oldest state capitol building in continuous use west of the Mississippi River.
  4. In 1889, when South Dakota became a state, Pierre was named the temporary capital; in elections in 1890 and 1904, it was chosen as the permanent capital.
  5. The Oahe Dam, located just north of Pierre, is the fourth-largest earthen dam in the United States and creates Lake Oahe, which is the largest man-made lake in the Dakotas.
  6. Pierre is the least populous state capital in the US with a population of under 15,000 people, as of 2021.
  7. Pierre has an area of 13.07 square miles, of which 13.06 square miles is land and 0.01 square miles is water.
  8. Government and services are the basis of Pierre’s economy, and the city is a regional trade centre.
  9. The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center is located in Pierre and is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the state’s history and culture.
  10. Finally, Pierre often served as a transportation hub for the state, with several major highways intersecting the city. The Pierre Regional Airport serves the city and surrounding area for both commercial and general aviation.

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Facts About Pierre
Facts About Pierre