Pierre SD

PIERRE is not only the county seat of Hughes County but also the State Capitol of South Dakota. Pierre was founded in 1878 and named Mato, but its close proximity to Fort Pierre caused the town to be referred to as “Pierre on the east side of the river, opposite Fort Pierre”, and the new name continued. Pierre is the second smallest capital city in the United States, Bismarck, N.D. having the “honor” of being the smallest. Here the West-River rancher rubs elbows with East-River farmer, the business man, and the Government official, which gives the town a rural and urban character all in one. Pierre claims to be the only city on the Missouri River that owns the entire stretch of waterfront and converted into beautiful parks. History abounds in this town as it was in existence from the earliest fur traders, explorers, and settlers into the state.