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 79 South Dakota Highway 79 South Dakota Highway 79 (SD 79) is a state highway in the U.S. state of South Dakota. It runs from Maverick Junction near the Black Hills National Forest to the North Dakota state line. SD 79's southern terminus is at Maverick Junction near Hot Springs, where it meets US 18 and US 385. SD 79 runs east of the Black Hills to Rapid City, where it is Main Street downtown. The road continues north and runs concurrently with US 14 toward Sturgis. Leaving Sturgis, SD 79 leads to Bear Butte State Park and briefly runs concurrently