Pierre, South Dakota Pierre, South Dakota Pierre (; Lakota: "čhúŋkaške", "fort") is the state capital of the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the county seat of Hughes County. The population was 13,646 at the 2010 census, making it the second-least populous state capital in the United States after Montpelier, Vermont, and the eighth-most populous city in South Dakota. Founded in 1880 on the east bank of the Missouri River opposite Fort Pierre, Pierre has been the state capital since South Dakota gained statehood on November 2, 1889. It was challenged by Huron for the capital and won because of its location in
South Dakota Highway 45 South Dakota Highway 45 South Dakota Highway 45 is a state route that runs north to south across much of central South Dakota. The northern terminus is at the North Dakota border as a continuation of North Dakota Highway 3, and runs south to South Dakota Highway 44 at Platte. It is in length. SD 45 was established around 1927. The southern terminus was at the intersection of present-day SD 50 and County Road 49 (CR 49) and the northern terminus was at the intersection of SD 10 in Leola. By 1932, it was extended south along what was part