Yankton Yankton Yankton is a city in, and the county seat of, Yankton County, South Dakota, United States. Founded: 1869 Area: Approximately 8.00 sq. mi. Elevation: 1,211’ Population: 14,566 (2016) Zip code: 57078 Area code: 605 Number of airports: 1 Perfectly placed on the banks of the Missouri River you will find Yankton home to a diverse community of people, Yankton only narrowly misses out on being in the top ten best places to live in South Dakota. Local people note that it is the geography and the history that first drew them to Yankton but it is the homey community feel that made them stay. There is a great deal of history to learn about this city. Yankton is a city in, and the County seat of, Yankton County, South Dakota, U.S. The population was 14,454 at the 2010 census. Yankton is the principal city of the Yankton Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the entirety of Yankton County, and which had an estimated population of 22,662 as of July 1, 2017. Yankton was the first capital of Dakota Territory. It is named for the Yankton tribe of Nakota (Sioux) Native Americans; Utica Hall Yankton is derived from the Nakota word I-hank-ton-wan (“the end village”). Yankton is located on the Missouri River just downstream of the Gavins Point Dam and Lewis and Clark Lake and just upstream of the confluence with the James River. The United States National Park Service’s headquarters for the Missouri National Recreational River is located in the city. The Human Services Center was established as a psychiatric hospital in 1882 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Yankton is commonly referred to as the “River City”, due to its proximity to the Missouri River and the importance that the river played in the city’s settlement and development. Yankton has also earned the nickname, “Mother City of the Dakotas”, due to the early important role it played in the creation and development of the Dakota Territory, which later became the 39th and 40th U.S. states of North and South Dakota. Among the most notable events that occurred in Yankton while the capital, Jack McCall, the murderer of Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood on August 2, 1876, was tried in Yankton for Hickok’s murder, found guilty, and was hanged on March 1, 1877, at the age of 24. His body is buried in a Yankton cemetery. Due to the urging of the Reverend Joseph Ward of Yankton, the General Association of Congregational Churches in Dakota Territory voted in May 1881 to establish “Pilgrim College” in Yankton, which was to be the first private institution of higher learning in Dakota. When the college was incorporated in August 1881, the name had been changed to “Yankton College”. Classes commenced in October 1882, and Yankton College played a (605)665-4363 Located in the Yankton Mall www.facebook.com/RiverCityMusicStudios Guitar • Piano • Bass • Drums Available For Wedding Receptions, Dances & Private Rentals Call Tina (605) 661-4321 for details and availability - day, weekend and evening lessons - former instructors of Mollet Music - all ages, all styles and all levels - relaxed atmosphere - convenient location YANKTON COUNTY GUIDE 2019v29