Pierre Landmarks and Monuments

(Pierre, South Dakota - SD, USA)

There is a real assortment of prominent landmarks and memorials located within the city of Pierre. These include the historical wooden Oahe Chapel on East Capitol Avenue, on the eastern side of the Oahe Dam.

Home to the South Dakota State Legislature and the offices of the State Governor, amongst other important officials, the South Dakota Capitol Building was constructed between 1905 and 1910. This is arguably the premier landmark in Pierre and is certainly of epic proportions, particularly the enormous dome, which takes the overall height of the building to a little over 49 meters / 161 feet.

Standing alongside the 'state house' is Capitol Lake, which is an expansive artificial lake that each year attracts migrating waterfowl in their thousands. A walk around the shore of the lake will reveal a number of important statues and monuments, such as the World War II Memorial.

South Dakota Capitol Building

Address: 500 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, South Dakota (SD), 57501, USA
Tel: +1 605 773 3011
A guided tour of the South Dakota Capitol Building and its vast interior is strongly recommended. Tours offer the chance to see the beautiful terrazzo tiled flooring, the opulent use of marble, a grand staircase and the decorated underside of the dome, which features a series of detailed murals depicting the 'Tree of Life'. You will also get the opportunity to see the National Statuary Hall and the crypt. A short film (entitled 'Out of Many, One') screened at the Visitors Center provides an insight into the evolution and ultimate creation of the nation's democracy and congress.
Open hours: guided tours, Monday to Saturday - 08:30 to 16:30
Admission: free

World War II Memorial

Address: East Broadway Avenue, Pierre, South Dakota (SD), 57501, USA
Tel: +1 605 773 3765
Commemorating the forces from the state of South Dakota that served in the Second World War, this monument is made up of six large bronze statues depicting soldiers dressed in uniform, fresh from the battlefield. The statues each represent the state's different branches of service and stand on a small peninsula fronting Capitol Lake, next to the Flaming Fountain, which is constantly burning and fed by natural gas. Of note, several additional monuments are close by on the lakeside, such as both the Fighting Stallions Memorial and the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, as well as an eagle sculpture dedicated to the members of the Great Sioux Nation who chose to fight in the modern wars of the 20th century.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Oahe Chapel

Address: East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, South Dakota (SD), 57501, USA
Tel: +1 605 773 3458
Situated close to the powerhouse of the Oahe Dam, this simple wooden chapel was built in the 1870s with the help of the Native American Indians. It resides on the site of a historic Arikara Indian village that was named Ti Tanke Ohe - or 'Oahe'. White-washed and featuring a small bell tower, the chapel originally held its services in the language of Dakota only, but by the time that the 1930s arrived, all services were in English. When the dam was being built, it was necessary to relocate the Oahe Chapel, since the site was due to be flooded. At this stage, the building was acquired by the state and its Historical Society was chosen to manage its renovation and ongoing maintenance, including its final move in 1964, to its present location.
Open hours: by appointment
Admission: free

Lake Sharpe / Big Bend Dam / Missouri River

Address: Missouri River, Pierre, South Dakota (SD), USA
The Missouri River is actually the longest river in the whole of North America and it meanders its way right through the city of Pierre, creating islands and being edged by waterfront parks. On the southeastern side of the city, a huge rolled-earth barrier was erected between 1959 and 1963, costing more than US$100 million. The construction caused the community of the Crow Creek Reservation to be displaced due to the resultant flooding that became Lake Sharpe. Named the Big Bend Dam, this barrier stands close to Fort Thompson and generates a significant amount of hydroelectricity. The dimensions of the dam are certainly impressive, with this landmark measuring almost 30 meters / 98 feet in height and more than 3,200 meters / 10,500 feet in length. Fishing for walleye and channel catfish in Lake Sharpe has become a popular attraction, as has boating and other recreational activities.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free