Page 30 - VisitorGuide2019

Pierre friendly community whose tree-lined streets, historic downtown,
Pierre was founded in 1880 amid the turbulence of the and lush green parks give way to rolling hills and steep bluffs
Great Dakota Boom, as gold prospectors and homesteaders as the county spreads east onto the state’s expansive plains.
flooded into the Dakota Territory. That same year, the railroad
first crossed the Missouri River here, and the town grew along Sites
the river’s east bank as both goods and people traversed the The State Capitol
state. Completed in 1910, the Capitol is stunning with its dramatic
When South Dakota achieved statehood in 1889, Pierre, murals, stained glass, elaborate tilework and collections
situated at nearly the geographic center of the state, became of sculpture & art. The Capitol building is open to visitors
its capital. This ensured the town’s survival even as drought from 8 am – 7 pm, Monday through Friday and 8 am to 5
and depression struck the region and turned the boom to bust. pm, Saturday and Sunday. During Christmas at the Capitol
Pierre today is a small Midwestern city of about 14,000. hours are 8 am – 10pm, Monday through Sunday. During the
The seat of Hughes County as well as the state capital, it is a Legislative Session hours are 8 am – 10 pm, Monday through

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