A Capital Capitol Tour

In order to tour the Capitol in Pierre, SD on Sundays, which we did, one needs to enter through the back door. Saturdays and Sundays there are no guided tours available. They provide self-tour pamphlets, and you are free to wander. There is no security around, though I do suppose there was someone in the building monitoring cameras. Karen and I were the only two people visible in the building for about a half hour. Another couple entered and looked around for a while, and then left. We spent about one and a half hours all together in the building and on the grounds.  

Front of the Capitol. 

The interior of the dome.

Not quite as elaborate as some, but still very handsome.

A view of the south wing.

The grand staircase.

The beautiful white Italian marble really lightened up the staircase.

View from the top of the staircase. More white marble.

This is the Senate room.

Here is the Representatives Chamber.

There is also a Supreme Court room and the Governor's Office. Both of these rooms were locked, but we were able to peek through the door windows into the rooms. Nicely appointed, not pretentious.

To the south lies Capitol Lake.

It is a manmade artesian lake constructed in 1913.

On the far south shore is the Governor's house.

 This is the Fighting Stallions Memorial.

It is dedicated to Gov. George Mickelson and seven S. Dakota businessmen who lost their lives in a plane crash in 1993.

The Flaming Fountain Memorial stands along the shore of the lake. The actual fountain is up by the US flag. It is supposedly a perpetually burning flame fed by natural gas. But it was not lit when we were there. This fountain honors the men and women of South Dakota who have fought for their country in time of war.

  

This is a memorial dedicated to S. Dakota Police, Fire, and EMS personnel that have lost their lives in the performance of their duties.

 Okay, on to something a little lighter...

Here we have a casino.

Small, not glitzy, and located in downtown Pierre.

We did not see any "name" brand on it. Must be locally owned!

Then we started noticing...

Yeah, better than boring tacos too...

Get your car washed and maybe hit the jackpot at the same time!

Here's how to beat the high cost of gas. Maybe win enough to pay for it.

There seemed to be a small casino on almost every corner. I'll have to google to find out why.

For the continued SD adventures of K & J, click on older posts...