Pierre, South Dakota (Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen: hotels, houses, construction)

[yamahastar]

Just a few questions regarding Pierre. I do not recall seeing very much on Pierre in posts. I think it is about 150 miles north of Rapid City. Does it get much colder than Rapid City area? Is the humidity about the same? I do not think the population is much more than 20,000 people or less. Is it a very progressive area being the hub of South Dakota? Thanks for any input.

[Jammie]

Pierre is about 175 miles northeast of Rapid City and it's kind of in the center of the state. IMHO RC has better weather.

Pierre is a nice town, but it's not as progressive as RC or Sx. Falls. It's a fisherman or hunter's paradise. It's neat and clean and cute, but it wouldn't be my preference. It just feels so isolated to me.

[debey]

City of Pierre - Home
City of Pierre's websight............

[ElkHunter]

I swear, people need maps. haha

Pierre is almost "Straight East" of Rapid City. 189 Miles. Pierre is around 14,000 people.

Here's some stats on it.

Pierre, SD

[Chris19]

I agree with Jammie's descriptions of Pierre and would like to add a few other things.

As for climate, Pierre is a little cooler in the winter than Rapid City but a bit warmer than Rapid City. Compared to Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, Pierre is warmer and drier. The humidity is oftentimes lower in Pierre, but Rapid is less humid. When I lived in Pierre for a short time, there were a few times when it was humid but its humidity pales in comparision to the James River Valley and the I-29 corridor in eastern part of South Dakota. In the summer, it is in one of the hottest areas of the state.

Pierre is an important trade center for Central South Dakota and has the basic fast food restaurants, Wal-Mart Supercenter, K-Mart, JC Penney, grocery stores, and specialty stores along with hotels and local eating places. There are a couple of good steakhouses, an excellent Mexican, and an excellent Chinese restaurant there. Compared to Aberdeen, Mitchell, Watertown, and especially Sioux Falls and Rapid City, Pierre is anemic on shopping options. If one is not picky with shopping, then it is not a terrible place in that regard.

Pierre is a little isolated and is a place suited for one who likes the outdoors and can tolerate being in a semi-desolate area. Also, it is a good community if one is big into being involved with church and excercise. The city has churches of many denominations with the Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic ones being the prominent ones. The city also has a park system that is excellent for a city its size and has some very good trails for hiking and biking. It is a good place for a couple or a family or those further established in life, but is not as well suited for singles and for those in their 20s.

As for progressiveness, it is not as backwards as some areas. But it is not as progressive as the Black Hills or the Sioux Falls area. But there is a software company looking into creating up to 200 jobs in Pierre, which will be good for the city. Many of these jobs are good paying ones and would bring in younger people to the city. This would be good in having a base of young people and creating a demand for more services, housing choices, and shopping options if all goes well. Also, I have read that Pierre may get a fish hatchery that may create additional jobs that are good-paying ones. I have also read that Pierre is getting an Arby's, Perkins, and an AmericInn (hotel). There has been some construction in the area. Pierre is growing a little, but the limited labor force may be a challenge and the city will need to do a better job of attracting and keeping the people in it. The city has potential to do even better.

[1st Round]

3 cheers for Pierre. A main street that runs directly into the river and sidewalks that are rolled up each night at 7:30 pm.

The great 20's something hangout, the Flame Room is gone; no one goes out to beautiful Farm Island anymore; the Spur is shut down; gas prices have curtailed the boats; the tour out of Milwaukee no longer visits the Hopscotch; and the Corp of Engineers has thoroughly ruined the hobey catting free fun by urbanizing the up lake beaches.

Spies Super Market no longer sells freezer-burnt fish sticks?

Milt Roundhead and Ed Long Fox no longer sleep in Griffin Park.

But the climate is still as hot as Arabia and as dry as toast.

3 cheers for Pierre. It is a paradise if you're employed.

[Chris19]

When I was in Pierre, I heard stories about Spies from a couple of 60-year olds. Some of the stores about there and other places were interesting, and funny sometimes. I know that Spies is not there anymore.