Three new Governor’s statues unveiled

The three latest statues are of Samuel H. Elrod, the state’s fifth governor, Archie Gubbrud, the 22nd governor, and Dennis Daugaard, the state’s 32nd and most recent former governor. The number of former governors and the number of statues will not match, because William Janklow was the 27th (1979-1987) as well as the 30th governor (1995-2003).

Traditions sometimes change. The most recent statues did not have to wait weeks or even months, either in the Capitol rotunda or at the State Museum, before being placed at their permanent outdoor locations. The Daugaard statue was placed within hours, at the east side of Capital Lake and near the Governor’s Mansion. The Elrod statue’s show place is near South Euclid Avenue and Capitol Avenue. Gubbrud’s statue’s permanent placement is near South Pierre Street and E. Pleasant Avene. For all locations of the current statues, as well as a myriad of other information, see the Trail of Governors tourism brochure.

“Our state is small in population, but big on ideas,” said Rick Jensen, Trail of Governor’s Foundation president, of the national originality of the project. He spoke to the wall-to-wall audience, who included descendants — some direct and some not-so-direct — and family friends of the honored men. “We are not honoring these men as just former governors, but also honoring them as fellow South Dakotans.”

Matt Michels, former lieutenant governor under Daugaard, was this event’s master of ceremonies. Comments of his and comments from current governor Kristi Noem summarized the three men’s careers. Among many other accomplishments, Elrod was key in building the State Capitol Building and in acquiring the land for the State Fair complex. Other accomplishments not being diminished, Gubbrud is best known for the state’s Minuteman Missile range system, the State’s interstate highway system, the state having annual legislative sessions, and S.D. having a chief budget officer. Daugaard, who was personally in attendance, may become most remembered for being such a fiscally-conservative leader, yet treating people like people.

“I love history. We walk it everyday, especially in this building,” Michels said. He praised the three men, and added praise for their wives, the women who supported these men, and supported South Dakota. “This is a beautiful remembrance that we should carry through.” Michaels quoted former governors; “If you can dream it, you can do it,” and “To impress people with South Dakota, call out the artists.”

In describing the importance of not the governors, but what has been accomplished for the state overall, Daugaard said, “There shouldn’t be one statue, there should be hundreds, thousands, an army of South Dakotans.”