South Dakota's State Capitol in Pierre

The South Dakota Capitol
sits on a sweeping rise.







There was competition for South Dakota's seat of government.  Three elections were held to determine the state's capitol city.  Pierre was selected.  Construction of the Capitol started in 1905 and was completed in 1910.

Being a new state with concerns about financing, South Dakota bought a copy of the architectural plans of the Montana State Capitol for ten dollars.

The Fighting Stallions Memorial

honors eight South Dakotans,

including Governor Mickelson,

who died in a plane crash in 1993.

South Dakota displays replicas

of the state's first ladies

inaugural gowns.

We toured the Capitol with a group of interns.  Our tour leader, Karen, has extensive knowledge of the building and its history.  She answered all our questions.

Portraits of former governors

hang on the walls.

General William H.H. Beadle wrote

South Dakota's state constitution,

 including a provision to preserve lands

 set aside for schools.

Each of the sixty-six men who

 laid the terrazzo tile floor were

 given a blue tile to place where

 while laying the floor.

Rooms and hallways have been re purposed since the Capitol was built.  To date, fifty-seven have been found.

The Rotunda

The grand stairway is made

of stone.

These beautiful  "marble" columns are plaster, made with the scagliola process.

The Capitol's glass floor
viewed from the third floor.

The desks in the Senate

Chamber have been moved

in preparation for new carpet.

The House of Representatives

is being renovated.

We bought post cards at

the Capitol's Gift Shop.

The shop as a nice selection
 of South Dakota books.









South Dakota's Capitol is beautiful.  There's a lot of history here.