Page 194 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

South Dakota
Pierre, the capital city of South Dakota
Founded 1880 Incorporated Elevation Population 13,646
This small capital among the rural fields of South Dakota is the second smallest capital city in the country.
The word Pierre (pronounced pee-er) was taken from the nearby historic Fort Pierre, which itself was named after Pierre Chouteau, Jr., a fur trader of French origin.
The city was founded in 1880 on the Missouri River opposite Fort Pierre, It was made the capital in 1889 because it was in the center of the state.
Frenchman Pierre Gaultier De La Verendrye and his sons explored the interior of North America in the 18th century. In 1742, Francois and Louis-Joseph Verendrye began a westward journey to try to increase the amount of land that France could claim.
The Verendryes reached the area in South Dakota where Pierre and Fort Pierre are now located 61 years before Meriwether Lewis and William Clark first arrived in the area. They buried a lead plate at the site to enable them to claim French sovereignty on the upper Missouri.
The plate translates: “In the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Louis XV, the most illustrious Lord, the Lord Marquis of Beauharnios, 1741, Pierre Gaultier De La Verendrye placed this.” Scratched on the back are the words: “Placed by the Chevalier Verendrye, Louis La Londette, and A. Miotte. 30 March 1743.”
Fort Pierre Chouteau was built in 1832. It grew as a trading center. Situated on the Missouri, it became one of the most important fur trade forts of the western frontier.
Pierre in 1913. The Hill is on the left. The Missouri is on the right.
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