A Capital Drive

Linda Burton posting from Pierre, South Dakota – Tony handed me three brochures — the Pierre Historic Homes Driving Tour, Pierre Hill Residential Historic District, and Historic Pierre Street. “Now you’re set,” he said. I’d been noticing the shady tree-lined streets in town; you know, those old-fashioned kinds of neighborhoods with sidewalks for leisurely afternoon strolls. Now I wanted to learn a little about the people who settled Pierre, and the houses they built. I knew the town was bustling in the early 1880’s in Dakota Territory days. So, I’d stopped at the Visitor Center for details. I decided to focus on the houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places first. To my surprise, the first house starred was built after WWII! It was squared-off and modern looking, built of shiny panels. Check the brochure: the panels are porcelain enamel and are outside and in; the house was built by Lustron Corporation to help ease the housing shortage after the war; there are still 38 of them in the state. Unusual. Next on the list, a sprawling three-story mansion on Erskine; built in 1885, it has its original parquet floors. Awesome. At South Washington I park the car and get out; it’s picture-taking time. » read more