State Capitol
No matter whether the entrance to South Dakota is made from the north,
south, east, or west, all of the main roads are gravel surfaced. Many an
Eastener will complain of the driving on these roads, but one may drive
up to fifty or sixty miles per hour on them with comparative safety,
with the average car. This is far beyond the legal limit of the state.
Rain and other adverse weather conditions will not affect traveling.
This holds true for most of the main highways in the “Hills.”
[Illustration: Corridor and Grand Stairway, Capitol Building, Pierre,
S. D.]
Over these gravelled highways, probably U. S. 14 or U. S. 16 we speed
until we hit Pierre, the State capitol, located in the center of South
Dakota. Here it might be well to stop for a few hours or overnight. The
State welcomes everyone to a trip through the State Capitol. This trip
is interesting and in many ways highly enlightening.
[Illustration: Governor’s Reception Room, State Capitol, Pierre, S. D.]
[Illustration: Supreme Court Room, State Capitol, Pierre, S. D.]
The Capitol, “up on the hill,” is probably the first building of Pierre
to catch the eye when entering the city from any direction. Its great
wings and massive dome cause it to stand out, and its height adds to its
conspicuousness.
Capitol Avenue, coming from the east runs true with the world. It leads
thus past the Governor’s residence to a beautiful arch bridge over the
outlet from what is known as Capitol Lake.
On this placid lake, surrounded by splendid lawn, swans float gracefully
and various other aquatic forms feed with varying degrees of industry.
From here Capitol Avenue turns in a north-westerly direction gradually
ascending to the Capitol, two blocks distant. The Capitol lies parallel
to the avenue, being on the north-east side, facing the south-west. It
is surrounded with beautiful trees, flowers, and an exceptionally
beautiful lawn.
After climbing the long flight of stone steps (the whole building is of
white stone), we enter the rotunda of the Capitol. There we are greeted
by a beautiful Carrara marble interior, set off by statues and pictures
of those responsible for the early progress of South Dakota. From the
exact center of the building we may look up into the gigantic dome
fringed with remarkable paintings above exquisite balconies and alcoves.
[Illustration: Grand Stairway, State Capitol, Pierre, S. D.]
To the left of the entrance we step into the main reception room of the
Governor. There we see that famous oil painting “The Spirit of
Progress,” by Blashfield, covering the entire north-west wall. Into the
room, if our visit were in 1927 or 1928, would come Governor Bulow, who
greeted President Coolidge to his summer white house. Governor Bulow
never failed to extend a warm welcome to the visitors at the Capitol.
His words delivered at a high school track meet in 1928 are typical of
him. “We are all competitors in contest of life. Upon our sportsmanship,
fairness, and hard training depends our position at the finish.”
From the Governor’s suite we go to the office of the Secretary of State,
and thence through the offices of the Commissioner of Public Lands, and
that of the State Treasurer.
In the other wing we see the rooms of the Supreme Court of South Dakota,
the offices of the judges, and the great Supreme Court Law Library.
[Illustration: Senate Chamber, Capitol Building, Pierre, S. D.]
[Illustration: House of Representatives Chamber, Capitol Building,
Pierre, S. D.]
Now we descend the stairs to the lower floor. Here we find case after
case lining the entire basement, filled with Indian costumes, stone
instruments, arrow heads, war uniforms, and weapons of historical
importance, stuffed birds of S. D., bones of animals, present and past,
the first bag of sugar produced in South Dakota (encased in a silk bag)
and various other curios. On the walls are large framed pictures of many
of the early heroes and state officers of South Dakota.
On this floor are the offices of the state Railroad Commission, Attorney
General, Public Examiner, Superintendent of Schools, Rural Credits
Board, Library Commission, Historical Society, and State Sheriff. Under
the steps is a lunch counter and confectionery stand, and in front of it
an information desk. Last but not least, in the north-west end of the
wing stands the gigantic moose.
On the second floor we find the rooms of the state Senate and House of
Representatives, with adjoining lobbies and other rooms.
On the third floor are balconies to the legislative rooms, and various
offices, including the automobile license department, the state banking
department, state securities commission, and others.
From this floor a spiral stairway leads up, up, up, to the room above
the inner dome. From the dome room one can see the mighty turbulent
waters of the Missouri bubble and boil on their way. The great bridge is
in full view, with the railway bridge beyond. The scenes from the
“Capitol dome” are remarkable. A trip to Pierre would be incomplete
without this part.
From the Capitol our trip takes us through the city of Pierre over the
bridge to Fort Pierre where first evidences of white men in S. D. were
found. A high flagpole now stands where the Verendrye Plate, planted in
1743, was found.
[Illustration: Capital Building]
[Illustration: The Verendrye Plate, found on the bluffs above Fort
Pierre, February 16, 1913. It was buried by La Verendrye, March 30,
1743, when he was exploring the land for France. This is the first
evidence of white men in South Dakota.
See the plate in the corridor at the Capitol.]