prominent role in the city for over 100 years. Then, in 1983, the
small liberal arts college was forced to close due to financial
insolvency. After remaining vacant for several years, the historic
campus, which is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, was purchased by the United States Federal Bureau of
Prisons for use as a minimum security prison. The Federal Prison
Camp – Yankton houses approximately 850 male inmates.
FUN FACTS
• Yankton is mentioned numerous times as the territorial capital
in the western TV series Deadwood.
• A fictional version of Yankton appears in the video game
Grand Theft Auto V.
• Yankton was mentioned in a 2015 episode of The Middle,
Hecks on a Train.
• Yankton is a Native American settlement featured in the video
game Empire: Total War.
Notable people
• Chief Pa-le-ne-a-pa-pe (“Struck by the Ree” or “Strikes the
Ree”), Yankton Sioux (Nakota) Tribe, signatory of Yankton Treaty
of 1858 opening up eastern South Dakota for U.S. expansion[48]
• William A. Jayne, born in Springfield, Illinois, first governor
of Dakota Territory, 1861-1863; territorial delegate to the U.S.
House of Representatives, 1863-1864.
• The Reverend Joseph Ward, born in Perry Center, New
York, educator and founder of Yankton College; his statue is in
Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol.
• John Chandler “Chan” Gurney, served as United States
Senator from South Dakota between 1939 and 1951
• Lyle Alzado, NFL player, played college football at Yankton
College
• Tom Brokaw, former NBC anchorman and native of Pickstown,
South Dakota, graduated from Yankton High School
• Wynn Speece, WNAX radio personality (Neighbor Lady)
• Adam Vinatieri, NFL placekicker for the Indianapolis Colts, was
born in Yankton
• Stephanie Winslow, singer
• Lawrence Welk, bandleader and native of Strasburg, North
Dakota, resided in Yankton while he served as the WNAX AM
radio bandleader
• Colton Iverson, basketball player, Colorado State University,
NBA Boston Celtics second-round draft pick, 2013
• Layne Somsen, baseball pitcher, South Dakota State
University, MLB Cincinnati Reds 22nd round draft pick, 2013
• Grant Marsh, record-setting steamboat captain. His statue is
in Riverside Park in Yankton.
ROD’S PIDDLE SHOP
Small Piddle Repair Jobs
• Lawn Mower Service & Repair
• Snow Blower Service & Repair
• Repair Trailer Lights
• Some Metal Work
Call Rod Wiese (605) 689-3817
4410 W. 8th St. • Yankton, SD
30vYANKTON COUNTY GUIDE 2019