South and North Dakota were admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889. President Benjamin Harrison directed his Secretary of State to shuffle the papers and obscure from him which he was signing first and the actual order went unrecorded. South Dakota is either the 39th or 40th state to join the Union. The State Quarters Program chose to go alphabetically and have South Dakota as the 40th. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota (Sioux) American Indian tribes.
After statehood was granted, cities campaigned to become the capital city. Pierre went into debt for 30 years to obtained the capital city status.
The capitol was completed in 1910; a complete restoration was completed in 1989 in time for the Centennial Celebration.
This painting is in the "Vault", the semi-circular area over the Grand Staircase, and representative of the first trading of Native Americans with white expolorers.
In South Dakota, we have 35 Legislative Districts. The House of Representatives is composed of two representatives from each district, so this chamber accommodates 70 representatives. The Constitution provides for not fewer than 50 nor more than 75 members. Representatives have a term of office of two years and are elected in November of even-numbered years.
The Speaker of the House presides over this Chamber. This individual is selected by the members of the House of Representatives. The Speaker, in most cases, ends up being from the majority party in the House.
The Senate Chamber accommodates one person from each of the 35 legislative districts. The Constitution provides for not fewer than 25 nor more than 35 members. Senators are elected in November of even-numbered years and serve two years. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate. This individual is chosen by the Governor and is elected with the Governor. The Senate Chamber appears to be decorated a little more lavishly than the House of Representatives. At the time when the decorating budgets were handed out, both chambers were given the same dollar amount. Since there were twice as many legislators in the House as the Senate, the Representatives had to spend their budget prudently.
My visit was shortly after Thanksgiving and the Capitol was decorated for Christmas. This scene was on the second floor just above the Grand Staircase
On back of plaque:
This monument, as designed by artist David Campell, depicts the images of George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton signing the Constitution of the United States. The Preamble to the Constitution is superimposed on a map of the world to signify the impact it has made on the nations of the world. Also pictured is Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the signing took place, with the immortal words of the Declaration of Independence inscribed below.
It is our hope that this monument will not just honor the past but endeavor to give inspiration to the youth who come to visit out capitol. As it is the youth of today who will determine the future and destiny of tomorrow ...
South Dakota's replica of the LIberty Bell is across the street from the front of the capitol and in front and side of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building. Along side the Liberty Bell replica is a monument to honor "Combat Wounded Veterans", the recipients of the "Purple Heart".
Fighting Stallions Memorial was constructed by the people of South Dakota as a lasting memorial to eight South Dakotans who perished in an airplane crash on April 19, 1993. The state plane, N86SD, crashed due to propeller assembly failure in poor weather on a farm near Dubuque, Iowa.
"Fighting Stallions" is enlarged in bronze from the 1935 mahogany carving by South Dakota sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. The sculpture was selected because it symbolically represents South Dakota's struggle to overcome adversity, desire for achievement and courage to believe in the future. It is a tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Flaming Fountain Memorial is a Veterans Memorial located on the shores of Capitol Lake. It is a perpetually burning flame fed by natural gas. The monument is dedicated to the South Dakotans who have fought for their country in time of war.
The wall behind the Flaming Fountain lists the South Dakotans who died in the Korean War. The soldier statue on the left is of an American soldier of the Korean War, the other is of a soldier of the Viet Nam Conflict.
The memorial consists of six bronze figures representing the branches of service in which South Dakotans served during WWII. They are portrayed as warriors fresh from battle; the memories burnt into them of the horrors and atrocities of war as well as, the acts of selflessness, bravery and valor. They are not intended to be spit and polish soldiers on parade, rather warriors in the field of honor.
Inscribed in the center of the center monumemt:
"Dedication and Sacrifice so that others may live".
This monument as well as ones for the Fallen Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers exist behind the wall for the Korean War Memorial.
Governor's Residence Completed in 1936, the residence rests on the shores of Capitol Lake and overlooks the Capitol. The 18-room private residence of South Dakota's first family is not open to the public but visitors are welcome to drive by or walk along the south lawn which adjoins Capitol Lake.
