Pierre in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Charles Hyde's Legacy

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

1. Charles Hyde's Legacy Marker

Inscription. Charles L. Hyde devoted much time and energy to promoting the young town of Pierre. A true believer in the city, Hyde built five of the seven buildings in Pierre's historic commercial district along upper Pierre Street. The St. Charles Hotel was his crowning architectural achievement. Legislators, U.S. presidents, and celebrities all stayed at the St. Charles. The Grand Opera House, just down the block from the hotel, hosted performers from across the country. Enthusiasm ran into the law when Hyde was convicted of fraud for making exaggerated claims about what Pierre had to offer. President Taft pardoned Hyde before he did any prison time.

19th-century pioneer settlement architecture is evident in the buildings along the Upper Pierre Street Commercial Historic District. Built between 1895 and 1909, many of the structures have Classical Revival details. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the district symbolizes Pierre's bustling commercial start.

Sponsored by the South Dakota State Historical Society, a Preserve America grant, and the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad Corporation.
Images courtesy of the South Dakota State Historical Society and Enid Hyde.

Erected by The South Dakota State Historical Society, a Preserve

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America grant, and the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad Corporation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft series list.

Location. 44° 22.097′ N, 100° 21.114′ W. Marker is in Pierre, South Dakota, in Hughes County. Marker is on South Pierre Street south of East Capitol Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted at eye-level, directly on the a small building midway between Capitol Avenue and Pleasant Drive, on the east side of Pierre Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pierre SD 57501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First and Only Hanging in Hughes County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Hughes County Court House (about 400 feet away); Hughes County Courthouse / Site of First Library in Pierre (about 600 feet away); John Sutherland and the Capital Fights (about 600 feet away); Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (approx. ¼ mile away); South Dakota State Capitol

Marker detail: Charles Hyde, A man of many talents image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Enid Hyde

2. Marker detail: Charles Hyde, A man of many talents

Hyde worked as a detective, reporter, cattle hand, and semi-professional roller skater before making his fortune in real estate.

(approx. ¼ mile away); Pierre Was A Cowtown / Reading Brands (approx. ¼ mile away); Soldiers' & Sailors' World War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierre.

Marker detail: Charles L. Hyde's optimism about Pierre's future almost sent him to prison in 1922 image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Charles L. Hyde's optimism about Pierre's future almost sent him to prison in 1922

This brochure — wildly exaggerating Pierre's prospects — went to potential investors.

Marker detail: Photo looking south down Pierre Street from Capitol Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Miller Studio

4. Marker detail: Photo looking south down Pierre Street from Capitol Avenue

The Upper Pierre Street Commercial Historic District retains a high degree of historic integrity. The buildings all look much as they did when first constructed.

1911

5. Marker detail: 1911 Parade

Pierre Street was a popular parade route for visiting dignitaries and festivals. Old Hughes County Courthouse (replaced in 1935) uphill in background.

Charles Hyde's Legacy Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

6. Charles Hyde's Legacy Marker (wide view)

Charles Hyde Building (<i>one street west of marker; on Capitol Avenue</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

7. Charles Hyde Building (one street west of marker; on Capitol Avenue)

Grand Opera House / Hyde Block (<i>uphill from marker; on Capitol Avenue</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016

8. Grand Opera House / Hyde Block (uphill from marker; on Capitol Avenue)

St. Charles Hotel (<i>uphill from marker; on Capitol Avenue</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 20, 2016

9. St. Charles Hotel (uphill from marker; on Capitol Avenue)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 443 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 11, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.