Midwest

Pierre, SD

Capital of South Dakota

South Dakota State Capitol Building

Overview

Pierre is the capital city of South Dakota, located in the Midwest region of the United States. Founded in 1880, the city has grown to a population of approximately 14,091 residents within a state of 886,667 people. As the seat of South Dakota's state government, Pierre serves as the political and administrative center of the state.

The city is home to the South Dakota State Capitol, a Neoclassical / Beaux-Arts structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1910. Designed by C.E. Bell and M.S. Detwiler, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.

Pierre has served as the capital of South Dakota since 1889. Before Pierre, the state's capital was located in Yankton.

South Dakota State Capitol

The South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre is an elegant Neoclassical building with a copper dome situated on the banks of the Missouri River. Though one of the lesser-known state capitols, the building features beautiful terrazzo floors, ornate plaster ceilings, and a restored interior that showcases early 20th-century craftsmanship. A major renovation in the 1970s restored much of the building's original character.

Design Inspiration

U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Year Built
1910
Architect
C.E. Bell and M.S. Detwiler
Architectural Style
Neoclassical / Beaux-Arts
Dome / Tower Height
161 ft
Building Area
114,000 sq ft
National Register
Listed

Notable Features

  • Copper dome with views of the Missouri River
  • Terrazzo floors with intricate patterns
  • Ornate plaster ceilings throughout
  • Artesian well on the grounds (one of the deepest in the state)
  • Black Hills granite foundation
  • Capitol Lake and surrounding parkland

Media Gallery

South Dakota State Capitol Building

Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.

Fun Facts & Trivia

  • Pierre (pronounced 'peer') is the second-smallest state capital by population in the U.S., after Montpelier, Vermont.
  • South Dakota and North Dakota were admitted as states on the same day in 1889, and no one knows which was signed first.
  • Pierre is located near the geographic center of the state, along the Missouri River.
  • The name Pierre comes from Fort Pierre, named after the fur trader Pierre Chouteau Jr.
  • South Dakota is home to Mount Rushmore, located about 230 miles west of Pierre.
  • Pierre is one of only a few state capitals that is not served by an interstate highway.