Three new statues complete Trail of Governors

sodakgovs

This morning, three new statues were unveiled for the Trail of Governors in Pierre: Andrew E. Lee, Frank M. Byrne, and William J. Bulow.

Byrne, Bulow, and Lee

Once placed, these three sculptures will complete the Trail, as all 31 former South Dakota governors will be represented. Going forward, new governor statues will be added as governors leave office.

Earlier this week, I posted biographies of each of the new governors in a preview story. I previously posted a gallery of Trail statues, which I will update once these statues are placed.

The statue of Lee, by sculptors Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby, will be placed in downtown Pierre on the corner of Pierre Street and Missouri Avenue.

The statue of Byrne, by James Michael Maher, will be placed in front of the Becker-Hanson Building, the SD DOT headquarters, on Broadway Avenue.

The statue of Bulow will be placed in an alcove on Pierre Street, between Pleasant Drive and the railroad bridge.

Andrew E. Lee, by Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby
Byrne
Bulow
Lee, in place on Pierre St and Missouri Ave.
Lee
Lee – a pistol is visible in his pocket.
Lee is standing on a strongbox. The strongbox and pistol represent Lee’s efforts to secure the state treasury following its theft by State Treasurer W. W. Taylor.
Byrne, in place on Broadway Avenue on front of the Becker-Hanson Building, headquarters of SDDOT.
Closeup of Byrne
Byrne is reading a book
A closeup of Bulow. His statue won’t be placed for a few days as the site work isn’t done.
Bulow’s statue features a post with pictures from his life. This one includes an unfinished Rushmore, which he supported during construction.
This includes a “balanced budget” and a bull – the death of another Democratic politician in an accident with a bull led to Bulow’s gubernatorial campaign.
Bulow pardoned the 77-year-old Poker Alice for illegal gaming and running a brothel.
Bulow hosted President Coolidge for trout fishing in Custer State Park.
The site for Bulow’s statue, on Pierre Street north of the railroad bridge, which isn’t quite finished.