Fort Pierre is a long-established frontier town near the state capital
Fort Pierre was established in the early days of western American expansion, originally serving as a fur trading post. Today, it is a tranquil small town surrounded by the Missouri River and the rolling plains of South Dakota. Its French heritage is found on display at area museums and in the subtleties of pronunciation. “It’s pronounced more like ‘pure’, as in ‘pure water,’” says broker Cathy Sonnenschein of Cathy Sonnenschein Properties, who has been selling real estate in the area since 1974. “It’s the sister city of Pierre, which is pronounced the same way and is the state capital across the river. It’s smaller and it’s friendly, with a real community atmosphere that makes it a nice place to live and raise children.”
Manufactured homes, ranch-style houses and waterfront lots
Mobile and manufactured homes, generally concentrated around the northwest side of Fort Pierre, can range in price from $38,000 to almost $100,000, depending on the number of bedrooms, square footage and build year. Site-built homes on the rolling residential streets come in multiple styles. “They vary from minimalist older homes to new, more expensive Modern Traditional builds on the water,” Sonnenschein says. “Water access is a big factor in price. Houses on the canal can get close to half a million dollars, or even more for the biggest ones.” Other varying factors include build year, number of bedrooms and square footage. Cost typically ranges from $135,000 to $450,000, although some outliers can fetch prices over $1 million.
Museums and rodeos at the fairgrounds celebrate Fort Pierre's heritage
Fort Pierre’s history is honored downtown at the Verendrye Museum, named for the two French explorers who first laid claim to the territory. The museum’s exhibits include displays of Native American artifacts, historic firearms and items which belonged to famous town residents such as Scotty Phillip, known for his efforts to prevent the extinction of the American Bison. “Rodeos at the Stanley County Fairgrounds are also a big deal,” Sonnenschein says. “There’s even a Rodeo Center Museum in town commemorating Casey Tibbs, who was a famous bronco rider.”
Schools follow four-day weeks for agricultural purposes
Stanley County Elementary School receives an A-minus from Niche and features a baseball field that overlooks the Bad River. Stanley County Middle, which scores a C-plus, and Stanley County High, rated B-minus, occupy the same building across the street. All schools in the district make scheduling concessions to local agriculture. “The schools in Stanley County are on four-day weeks, because the ranchers out there need help on that extra day to make sure everything gets done,” Sonnenschein explains.
The Missouri River, parks and ice rink enable year-round recreation
The waterway that divides Fort Pierre from its sister city also plays a significant role in recreation for the area. “Missouri River access gives us access to lots of boating, fishing and entertainment possibilities,” Sonnenschein says. “The canal is actually better for people with kids, because there’s no current in the canal. It’s much safer for swimming or boating, particularly for children.” Small green spaces like Fischers Lilly Park offer playgrounds and paved walking paths, and the Oahe Expo Center ice rink hosts the local youth hockey team. “Hockey is not school-supported in Fort Pierre,” Sonnenschein adds. “It’s privately funded by the parents, who post the advertisements and set everything up themselves.” Fun Time Adventures on the northwest side of town offers mini-golf and a go-kart track.
Groceries and restaurants are available on 1st and Deadwood Streets
The Dakota Mart on 1st Street is the town’s main supermarket. Residents can pick up daily household items at the Family Dollar up the street, and the closest Walmart Supercenter is 5 miles away. Restaurants and shops line either side of Deadwood Street, the main commercial district of the town. At Maier Meat, locals can pick up ham, roast beef and steaks. The Chateau Lounge is a popular local bar with a billiards table, and the Chuck Wagon next door offers daily specials and homemade pizza.
Pierre and the regional airport are across the bridge from town
U.S. Routes 14 and 83 converge in Fort Pierre, connecting the residents to the state capital across the river in less than 10 minutes. “We have a brand new bridge across the Missouri that has been great for commuters,” Sonnenschein says. Pierre is home to the nearest medical center and to the Pierre Regional Airport, essential for residents looking to vacation out of town. “Flights from the airport only go west,” Sonnenschein explains. “We can only book to Denver or to Clovis, New Mexico, so lots of people take weekend trips down there.”
