Yankton

Yankton, city (1990 pop. 12,703), seat of Yankton co., extreme SE S.Dak., on the Missouri River; inc. 1869. A railroad and trade center in an agricultural region, it has grain elevators, creameries, and plants manufacturing metal and marble products, electrical equipment, and feeds. Settled 1858 as a fur-trading post, Yankton was the Dakota territorial capital from 1861 to 1879; the old capitol building still stands. Mount Marty College and a federal prison are there. Nearby Lewis and Clark Lake, formed by Gavins Point Dam (completed 1956), is part of the Missouri River basin project.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.