History Of Yankton County
Bordered on the south by the
Missouri River, Yankton County has
played an integral part in South Dakota
history.
1861 heralded the first territorial
government, with the City of Yankton
being designated the capital of Dakota
Territory. Steamboat trade flourished
and in 1873 the first railroad line
connected Yankton and Sioux City,
Iowa.
The County was named for the
Yankton band of the Sioux Indians.
History suggests that Meriwether
Lewis and George Rogers Clark were
the first white men to set foot on
Yankton County soil. Pelagie LaBarge
is the first known white woman to
journey to Yankton County, arriving in
1847 with her husband, a steamboat
captain. Joseph R. Hanson was
the first settler in 1859. 1861 also
witnessed the first official newspaper,
“The Weekly Dakotan”, being
published.
The first school, held in the home
of Dr. Abram Van Osdel, opened in
December of 1862. Governor Howard
selected Yankton County as the
site for the state insane hospital in
September of 1878. Yankton City
and County lost the fight to retain the
status of Territorial Capital in 1883
and the capital was moved to Bismark,
ND.
The rich history of the County is
preserved through many landmark
buildings, historical sites and the
written word.
Yankton County, established in
1862, is located along the southern
border of South Dakota along
the Missouri River. The county
encompasses a total area of 533
square miles with a population of
22,702 (2010 US Census estimate).
The primary industries in the county
are agriculture, manufacturing, and
services.
The county seat is located in the
largest city in the county - Yankton
(population 14,532).
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