Steele, named for Wilbur F. Steele, , is located in south central North Dakota in Kidder County just south of I-94 about 40 miles east of Bismarck.
Mr. Steele, who bought the land that encompasses the town today from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in 1878, had hoped that the state capitol would be located in Steele, so he erected a three-story building to house the legislature. Political maneuvering and prestige of the politicians won out for location in Bismarck.
Local attractions include a 38-foot tall Sandhill Crane replica, a tribute to the many species of birds using the area both as a migratory stopover and as a permanent home in the surrounding habitat.