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 65 the final segment stretching from US 16 in Kadoka to the Nebraska border south of Martin. Construction of a new road led to the connection of the two northern segments by 1932. The segment south of US 16 was re-designated as an extension of South Dakota Highway 63 in 1929. The route of SD 65 is defined in South Dakota Codified Laws § 31-4-174. South Dakota Highway 65 South Dakota Highway 65 (SD 65) is a state route in north-central region of the U.S. state of South Dakota. It begins at U.S. Highway 212 east of Dupree, then runs northerly