List of city nicknames in South Dakota

This partial list of city nicknames in South Dakota compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities and towns in South Dakota are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. ^[1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" ^[2] are also believed to have economic value. ^[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure, ^[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves and adopting new slogans. ^[2]

Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.

• Aberdeen – The Hub City. ^[3]
  • The Town in the Frog Pond. ^[4]
• Clark – Potato Capital of South Dakota. ^[5]
• Fort Thompson – Paddlefish Capital of the World. ^[6]
• Leola – Rhubarb Capital of the World. ^[7]
• Rapid City
  • The Gateway to the Black Hills. ^[8]
  • Real America Up Close. ^[9]
  • Star of the West. ^{[10] [11]}
• Redfield – Pheasant Capital of the World. ^[12]
• Sioux Falls – Gateway to the Plains. ^{[13] [14]}
• Spearfish, South Dakota - The Queen City
• Watertown – South Dakota's Rising Star. ^[15]

See also

• List of city nicknames in the United States

References

1. Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" Archived 2013-03-09 at the Wayback Machine , December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007.
2. Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :) Archived 2008-05-21 at the Wayback Machine , MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
3. Preserve America Community, Preserve America, accessed February 22, 2016.
4. , Aberdeen Area History, accessed February 23, 2016.
5. Claims to Fame - Agriculture, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
6. Faber, Harold (1993-09-12). "The World Capital of Whatever". The New York Times . Retrieved 2018-11-15.
7. Reader's Report: Good Ol' Cast Iron Archived 2008-12-04 at the Wayback Machine , Farmer's Almanac Television, April 2005, accessed April 22, 2007. "Whet your "rhubarb appetite" and watch for Jodi's report and recipes from Leola's Rhubarb Days. This town of 500 is the Rhubarb Capital of the World!"
8. Black Hills Trip Planner, accessed February 22, 2016
9. Tagline Guru City Branding Survey, Tagline Guru website, accessed Aug 18, 2009
10. "City of Presidents - Rapid City, SD - VirtualTourist.com". Archived from the original on 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
11. "Rapid City, South Dakota Accomodations". Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
12. Redfield city website, accessed February 19, 2010
13. Claims to Fame - Agriculture Archived 2010-12-24 at the Wayback Machine , Epodunk, accessed April 10, 2008.
14. Berlin Chamber of Commerce website, accessed June 27, 2009
15. , Watertown, accessed February 22, 2016