Pierre, with a population of 13,422, is the capital of South Dakota. It is the second-smallest and easily the sleepiest state capital in the United States. It is part river town, part farm town, and part railroad town.

One reason why the city was chosen for the capital was because it is nearly in the very center of the state. No interstate passes through Pierre and it is serviced only by commuter airlines. For nine months of the year it is without legislators.

For such an unobtrusive place, the South Dakotans have built one of the most impressive capitols in the country. The building has mosaic floors, stained-glass skylights, and marble staircases. It is full of early nineteenth-century artwork, murals, and Roman designs and stenciling. The foundation is granite and the dome is solid copper.

A not-to-be-missed stop is the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center. It is built into the side of a hill and designed in the style of a traditional Native American dwelling. Inside are historical displays of Native American cultures and the history of the pioneers. The Cultural Heritage Center presents the annual Red Cloud Indian Art Show.

In 1743, two sons of the French explorer, Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, Sieur de La Verendrye, became the first whites to enter South Dakota. They climbed to a bluff, above what is now Fort Pierre, and left an inscribed plate, claiming the land for Louis XV. In 1913, some children found it after 170 years and it is now on view at the Cultural Heritage Museum.

At 303 East Dakota stands the South Dakota Guard Museum, which houses General Custer’s dress sword and other military memorabilia. For nature at its finest, La Framboise Isle Nature Center is a perfect spot for walking, sightseeing, or picnicking.

Buses and the Pierre Regional Airport service the area.