Pierre: A Capital Above the Missouri
A white dome rises above the streets of Pierre, South Dakota. The building beneath it is the South Dakota State Capitol, where important work of state government takes place. Nearby, the Missouri River flows past the city, while higher land overlooks the water. Pierre’s story as a capital connects this landscape to choices made by South Dakota voters.
Choosing a capital
South Dakota became a state in 1889. Its people needed a place for their state government to meet and do business. Pierre served as the temporary capital at first. In 1890, voters chose it as the permanent capital in an election against other communities, including Huron.
Pierre’s location was one reason supporters favored it. The city stood near the Missouri River, and a railroad connected it with other places. Supporters argued that its position would make it a useful meeting place for a state whose people lived far apart. Pierre is in central South Dakota, but it is not the state’s exact geographic center.
Capital and capitol
The words capital and capitol sound alike, but they mean different things. Pierre is the capital, the city chosen as the seat of state government. The capitol is the building where much of that government’s work happens.
- permanent:
- intended to last rather than be temporary
- geographic:
- related to the locations and physical features of places
- landmark:
- a noticeable feature that helps people recognize or find a place
- valley:
- an area of lower land between higher areas, often with a river
- distinct:
- separate or clearly different
- transportation:
- the movement of people or goods from one place to another
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How did Pierre become South Dakota’s permanent capital?
- 2Why did Pierre’s location appeal to supporters choosing a capital?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Pierre: A Capital Above the Missouri” is a explanatory article reading passage about State capitals and civic geography, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (476 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.