Things You May Not Know About South Dakota

At first glance, one might think that South Dakota's capital city was named for Pierre Chouteau, Jr, the same man who gave Fort Pierre its name. However, there's an interesting story 'bout the naming of the capital city an' pronunciation is the key to how the capital city was named.

As I've heard the story told, it seems that the oldest fort in the west, Fort Pierre, was visited on a regular basis by ladies of ill-repute. In fact, these ladies even pitched their tents around the fort so as to be in close proximity, should there be need for a visit from one 'uh the soldiers.

One day, a new commander was appointed to assume leadership responsibilities. When he arrived he naturally brought his wife with him. It was, in fact, his wife who played a key role in what would happen next.

Photo Credit: South Dakota State Capitol building near the Missouri River in downtown Pierre

There are things that make me think of South Dakota and make me smile. Below are a few of those pictures on fun items so you can also love what I love about South Dakota.


Count Your Blessings by SunsetArtWorks
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Antique Truck and Tree by SunsetArtWorks
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Cowboy Coffee Mug by SunsetArtWorks
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Colorful Jumping Horse by PaintingPony
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There's a curious story about South Dakota that I have heard told many times. I have been unable to prove whether the South Dakota ladies of ill-repute actually played such an important role in the naming of her capital city, but the story continues to circulate an' I rather enjoy it, myself.

It seems that Fort Pierre's new commander (although I'm unsure of his actual title) had more than the discipline of the soldiers to contend with. When his wife realized why so many tents surrounded the fort she became quite irate. With her very own husband as the ruling force, she felt that something should be done to change the situation. It seems she insisted that the aforementioned ladies be removed; banished, as it were.

In a move to keep peace in the family, the command was given that all disreputable businesses leave the area. Before you could say, "Spit an' polish," the area surrounding Fort Pierre was cleared. No longer would services of questionable integrity be available so close to the fort. The tents were moved an' the ladies relocated to an area where the rules were more relaxed; right across the river.

I've tried to imagine what life must have been like for those who were living in tents surrounding Fort Pierre. This picture is very close to what I think life must have been like. Picture Credit: blondieb38 at morguefile.com

Now, here's where the Capital City story becomes clear. Once the ladies had pitched their tents again an' were fairly settled in, they hired someone to build a pier where boats could dock. Then, when they ordered their pretties from the east they could give instructions that included a message about delivery. That message might read, "Deliver my package to the pier, across from Fort Pierre."

Over time, the term 'Peer' became the accepted pronunciation of the town that would eventually become the capital of the state. Naturally, that also affected the way Fort Pierre emerged in pronunciation, as well. Instead of being called 'Fort Pierre' as a Frenchman's name might be pronounced, Fort Pierre eventually came to be known as Fort Peer, pronounced the same as the pier across from the fort.

This photo is not the actual picture of the site where the ladies of ill-repute settled after they were told to leave the area of Fort Pierre, but it isn't a great deal smaller than the river where the move was initiated, either. To be sure, I'm having a little fun with this picture. I thought you might enjoy the exaggeration, too.

Photo Credit: Court-Lane-Fields By JusBen at morguefile.com

The Squatter Governor of Dakota Territory was so named because Frank M. Zieback presided as the mock "governor" over the first caucus. The First Territorial Legislative Session had a squatter, since someone was needed to preside over that first meeting, even though it was informal and a mock legislature.

Because of that first incident of Squatting or accepting the position of leadership without being appointed, Frank M. Ziebach went down in history as the Squatter Governor. Squatting was a common term in frontier times to describe those who took possession or squatted on land without the legal documentation to do so.

Over time, the mock legislatures continued and Frank M. Ziebach was regularly called to preside, just as he did at the first meeting. During the last half of his life, he was often referred to as Governor Ziebach because of his popularity as the Squatter Governor.