1804Culture
As part of the vast Louisiana Purchase, the site of Yankton was visited by Lewis and Clark in 1804.
1857History
As recently as 1857, the site of Yankton was occupied by a village of Yankton Sioux led by Chief Pa-le-ne-a-pa-pe ("Struck by the Ree").
1858Architecture
Two years later, with the signing of the Yankton Treaty of 1858, the land was opened for settlement.
1859Economy
Louis arrived in 1859, providing goods and supplies to settlers and fur-traders in upper and central Dakota.
1861Civil Rights
=== Dakota territorial capital ===
With two days left in his term, President James Buchanan signed a law on March 2, 1861, creating the Dakota Territory.
1863History
House of Representatives, 1863–1864.
1872Infrastructure
The railroad reached Yankton in 1872.
1874History
In 1874, gold was discovered in the Black Hills and prospectors rushed into Dakota Territory.
1875Government
It is published in a historic building constructed in 1875 by Territorial Governor John Pennington.
1876Crime
Among the most notable events that occurred in Yankton while capital, Jack McCall, murderer of Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood on August 2, 1876, was tried in Yankton for Hickok's ...
1880Government
By 1880, Yankton had become an established riverboat port on the Missouri River.
1881Government
When the college was incorporated in August 1881, the name had been changed to "Yankton College".
1882Government
The Human Services Center was established as a psychiatric hospital in 1882 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
1883Government
Yankton served as the territorial capital until 1883 when the capital was moved to Bismarck (now the capital of North Dakota).
1889History
It became a city in 1889.
1922Government
Mounty Marty College Academy was founded in 1922 and subsequently changed their name to Mount Marty College in 1951 when they became a four-year, baccalaureate degree granting i...
1939Sports
Gamble, former US Congressman
John Chandler "Chan" Gurney, served as United States Senator from South Dakota 1939 - 1951
Colton Iverson, basketball player, Colorado State Univer...
1980History
* Yankton was the location of the first-ever viewer call-in to C-SPAN on October 7, 1980.
1983Education
Then, in 1983, the small liberal arts college was forced to close due to financial insolvency.
1984Education
The college closed in 1984.
1988Crime
The campus was acquired by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1988 for use as the Federal Prison Camp – Yankton.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,528 people, 5,369 households, and 3,232 families residing in the city.
2003Government
According to the 2003 Coldwell Banker Housing Price Comparison Index (HPCI), Yankton was found to have the lowest housing costs of any municipal entity in the entire United States.
2005History
This is no longer the case as of the 2005 HPCI.
2006History
In 2006 it employed 29 sworn personnel.
2008Architecture
The double-decker Meridian Bridge over the Missouri River was decommissioned for traffic in October 2008 after the new Discovery Highway Bridge was opened.
2010History
=== 2010 census ===
As of the census of 2010, there were 14,454 people, 5,909 households, and 3,348 families residing in the city.
2013History
states featured in the 2013 Rockstar Games title Grand Theft Auto V is called North Yankton, named after both the city and county.
2015Infrastructure
=== Special sporting events ===
The National Field Archery Association's Easton Yankton Archery Complex hosted nearly 600 archers from 51 countries for the 2015 World Archery Yo...
2019Education
The museum complex also contains several outbuildings, such as a restored rural school house and the Great Northern Railway Depot which will be moved to the new location at 82 M...
2020Education
The most recent change was the addition of doctoral programs and a transition to Mount Marty University in 2020.
2025Government
As of 2025 the mayor is Mason Schramm.