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 22,438 (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 14,538).
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YANKTON COUNTY GUIDE 2016v7