Pierre, South Dakota, and the Fountain That Used to Flame

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Pheasant hunting season had begun in South Dakota so we were only able to get our room in DeSmet for one night. After our day in the Little Town on the Prairie, we traveled northwest to the South Dakota state capital of Pierre. Years and years ago, we had a wonderful geography tape (a cassette tape; remember those?) which included a song about the state capitals. Trouble was the song left out the state capital of South Dakota, so the tape also had a recording of Gary Drews, then-mayor of the city, lauding his city and aghast that the song had left it out. It was very cute. Mary Evelyn was particularly fond of that geography tape — and she can still quote the funny response by the mayor.

Beside the state capitol building in Pierre is Capitol Lake. Geothermal features in the lake keep it warm year ’round. Even in the severe winters of South Dakota, the lake never completely freezes. Beside Capitol Lake is a fountain, which was once topped by a perpetual flame, fueled by gas found naturally in the water.

When we came to Pierre in 1996, we saw the flaming fountain. During our 2016 South Dakota trip a couple of weeks ago, we got up early to tour the state capitol and see the flaming fountain, but, alas, the flame is gone. The water is still warm and steam rises from it, but no more flame!

Whatever natural phenomenon caused the flame in the first place has changed! According to the lady at the capitol gift shop, some folks are working on getting it to flame again!

No matter! We had fun watching and feeding the ducks that call Capitol Lake home.

Inside the capitol, we saw a display of doll dresses, depicting gowns worn by the wives of many of South Dakota governors. Some were made from fabric of the actual dresses. Here are a few of them.

Here’s a close up of a dress from the early 1960s.

This is the beautiful capitol dome . . .

. . . and a couple of views of the beautiful stained glass ceiling of one of the corridors.

Here we are in the gallery of the state senate chamber.

The state senators and the state representatives have their own individual rolltop desks. We have visited many state capitols but this is the first to have individual rolltop desks.

This is the ceiling of the state senate chamber.

. . . and here Ray and I sit in the senate gallery.

I took this photo in the state house chamber.

When we left the state capitol, we took a few more minutes to enjoy the lake and its residents.

We also drove around the lake where we got this view of the capitol . . .

. . . and also drove around to see the front for the first time that morning.

In addition to the wonders of God’s creation we saw outside, two things in particular encouraged me during our time at the capitol: this little green note on a bulletin board . . .

. . . and the special treat I describe below.

Soon after we began walking around inside the South Dakota capitol, we saw that officials were preparing for a ceremony of some kind.

To our delight, we learned that it was the once-a-year installation of new state troopers ready to serve in the South Dakota Highway Patrol, that the governor was scheduled to speak, and that we were invited to stay.

The emcee of the program introduced a minister who led a prayer to begin the ceremony. I was encouraged to see the governor and his wife bow their heads in prayer. God has not been completely removed from our public life — not everywhere. Praise God for that — and for everything.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6

 

 

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