MEDIA ADVISORY

100 Year Railroad Bridge Commemoration Planned
Railroad to Offer Passenger Rides Through Pierre & Fort Pierre

Sioux Falls, SD – The Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) Railroad in cooperation with the South Dakota State Historical Society (SDSHS), the Cities of Pierre and Fort Pierre, and the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce is planning an event to mark the 100 year anniversary of the completion of the railroad bridge spanning the Missouri River at Pierre and Fort Pierre.

“Ever since the bridge was brought into service in 1907, it has been a landmark in Pierre and Fort Pierre,” said Kevin Schieffer, President & CEO of the DM&E.  “The bridge continues to serve as a vital link for the DM&E to haul grain, aggregates, cement, minerals and manufactured products to and from the communities on our line. We hope folks in Pierre and Fort Pierre are able to join us for this event that will recall the rich history of the communities, our state and the railroad.”

The events will be held on Friday, October 26, and include dedication of an interpretive marker explaining the historical significance of the railroad bridge and passenger train rides for people in the Pierre & Fort Pierre area.

The dedication of the interpretive marker will take place along the bike/walking path immediately downstream from the railroad bridge at 10:30 a.m. CDT. Parking will be available at the Ramkota Inn River Centre.

The public is invited to join for rides through the communities of Pierre and Fort Pierre beginning at 1:00 pm CDT. Beginning Thursday, October 18, individuals may reserve up to four tickets, which are free, by calling the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce at 605-224-7361.

For Media Planning Purposes: Schedule of Events

10:30 a.m. OPEN  TO THE PUBLIC: Missouri River Railroad Bridge Interpretive Marker Dedication Program – Bike Path Near the Ramkota Parking Lot. Speakers include Dennis Eisnach, Mayor of the City of Pierre; Sam Tidball, Mayor of the City of Fort Pierre; Jay Vogt, Director of the SDSHS, and Kevin V. Schieffer, President & CEO of the DM&E.
NOTE: In case of inclement weather, the dedication will be held in the Ramkota Courtyard.

11:00 a.m. INVITATION ONLY: Media Availability & Ride for Invited Guests – Park and Board at Poplar Street Crossing. Limited parking is available at the Days Inn. Program participants, invited guests and members of the media will join for a ride through the Cities of Pierre and Fort Pierre. The ride will conclude at approximately 12:15 p.m. Members of the media are asked to RSVP to Jafar Karim at jkarim@cedaramerican.com or by calling 605-782-1224.

1:00 p.m. TICKETED PUBLIC EVENT: Community Rides – Boarding at Hillsview Golf Course. Individuals with tickets will get a unique view of the Pierre and Fort Pierre communities, including over the historic railroad bridge. Each ride will last approximately one hour. Beginning Thursday, October 18, individuals may reserve up to four (4) tickets, which are free, by calling the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce at 605-224-7361.

Bridge History & Preserve America Grant
The interpretive marker is the first of several projects the SDSHS is developing in a heritage tourism program for the Pierre-Fort Pierre area. The overall project is funded through a National Park Service Preserve America Grant and matching grants from the DM&E and SDSHS.

The bridge, which was built by the Chicago & North Western Railway, was placed on the  National Register of Historic Places in 1998, because of its structural design and engineering significance as well as for the role it played in extending the reach of the railroad to western South Dakota and the Black Hills. Many of the cities, such as Midland, Philip and Wall, along the railroad’s corridor were founded in 1907 at the time of the railroad’s construction.

The bridge has been in continuous use since that time and today is owned and operated by the DM&E.

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