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 13 intersection with U.S. Route 14 (US 14). SD 13 was formerly a segment of SD 11. This was changed to SD 13 between 1932 and 1935. At that time, its original northern terminus was extended eastward to its current location at US 14 north of Elkton. This was due to a rerouting of US 14 in the early 1930s. South Dakota Highway 13 South Dakota Highway 13 (SD 13) is a state highway in the east-central part of the U.S. state of South Dakota. It connects Flandreau with Elkton. SD 13 was originally part of SD 11's path. SD 13