History & Museums

An immersive journey through the days of Yankton’s past

The history of Yankton extends back to 1804 when Lewis and Clark stops near the confluence of jamesan Missouri rivers a short distance from Yankton while exploring the new territory. The site of the Yankton Sioux camp was rolling treeless Prairie in the summer of 1858 when the first enthusia stick pioneers selected the location for a new settlement. The decision was influenced primarily by the favorable possibility of a Steamboat landing on the Missouri River. By 1861 Dakota territory was created by the act of Congress which included the vast area of what is now South Dakota North Dakota and parts of Montana Ohio Wyoming in Nebraska. Yankton was named the first territorial capital the mother city of the dakotas. Immigration was encouraged by availability of cheap land. Settlers of varied nationalities came by boat covered wagon and horseback. The tidy settlement began to expand. Yankton became an independent important transportation center making major contributed contributed nation to the growth of western territories. As an important call many of early steamboats stopped in to Yankton to pick up or unload car grow in route to other River ports. Many historic homes built by Steamboat captains or with River transportation money stillstand. The coming of the railroad in 1870 three was the beginning of the decline of riverboat traffic. The city has continued to grow from that small settlement of 1850 eight. Through the years population growth has been steady. Today still proud of his rich heritage the Grady re inked an area has more than 20,000 people within its urban and suburban limits. This tour reflects the fearlessness of those early settlers who faced and overcome untold hardships to create this rivertown.

Take a walking tour of some of the historic homes in Yankton using this interactive page as your guide.

Ice House

Activities & Attractions Bars & Grills History & Museums

Built-in 1928 by John Keller, the Ice House was the first artificial ice plant in the area. Shortly after Prohibition, beer was sold there, and […]

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House of Mary Shrine

Activities & Attractions History & Museums

Approaching the House of Mary Shrine from Hwy. 52 you will find the Chapel of St. Joseph, a Rosary Pond, the Little House of Mary, […]

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Historic Yankton Tour

History & Museums

Take a tour of the past! Incorporated in 1862, Yankton is a riverboat city rich with history and charm. Many of the original homes date […]

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Historic Homes

History & Museums

Yankton has tons of historic homes around our city. With plenty of interesting buildings to look at you can walk or drive around and check […]

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The Meridian District

Activities & Attractions History & Museums Shopping

Stroll through the downtown area and browse many individually owned and operated businesses and unique shops. You’ll discover specialty gift, clothing and antique shops, as well as […]

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Gavins Point Dam

Activities & Attractions History & Museums

Gavins Point Dam, located on the Missouri River, was completed in 1957 as part of the Pick-Sloan Plan. The dam and power plant are operated […]

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Mead Cultural Education Center

History & Museums Indoor Meeting Places

Take a step back in time as you enter the Mead Cultural Education Center. The Mead Cultural Education Center, also known as the Mead Building, […]

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Dakota Territorial Capitol Replica

Activities & Attractions History & Museums

This capitol replica symbolizes Yankton as being the first capitol of the Dakota Territory from 1861- 1883. The replica is patterned after the original Dakota […]

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Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home and Dorothy Jencks Memorial Garden

Activities & Attractions History & Museums

Completed in 1886 by the former Secretary of the Dakota Territory, this stately home was built as the tallest Queen Anne home in the Dakota […]

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Christ Episcopal Church

Activities & Attractions History & Museums

You will be captivated and inspired by the memorial stained-glass windows, the powerful rich sound of the organ and the warm, mellow woodwork in this […]

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