Pierre

Pierre (pop. 11,973), capital city of South Dakota, in the central part of the state. A Native American settlement in the 1820s, it became a European fur trading post named after one of the traders, Pierre Chouteau. In the late 19th century, it became known as the terminus of the Chicago and North Western railroads. Today it houses the state government and supports a prosperous livestock industry.

See also: South Dakota.