Yankton

Yankton is the administrative seat of Yankton County in southeastern South Dakota, roughly 75 miles (120 kilometers) southwest of Sioux Falls. The settlement sits on the bank of the Missouri River near Gavins Point Dam, where residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and public facilities spread across flat grassland.

Between 1861 and 1883 this settlement served as capital of Dakota Territory, when government offices and officials managed all territorial administration from this location. After the capital moved to Bismarck in 1883, the town shifted toward becoming a regional trade hub on the river.

The town name comes from the word "Ihanktonwan," which identifies a specific division of the Sioux people who lived near the river mouth. Visitors walking through downtown see stone and brick buildings that reflect turn-of-the-century architecture built when the settlement was expanding as a territorial center.

Public areas along the riverfront provide walking paths and picnic spots that see regular use during warm months. Access to most facilities is straightforward, as parking lots sit near the main roadways.

The nearby Lewis and Clark Recreation Area marks a spot where the expedition met members of the Yankton Sioux in 1804 and spent several days negotiating. Information panels along the shore show where this first major council between expedition members and indigenous peoples took place.

Location: Yankton County

Inception: 1858

Elevation above the sea: 369 m

Website: http://cityofyankton.org

GPS coordinates: 42.87131,-97.39669

Latest update: December 17, 2025 07:33