PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The Trail of Governors in Pierre has been completed, or at least is finally up-to-date. Statues of South Dakota’s 3rd governor Andrew Lee; 8th governor Frank Byrne and 12th governor William Bulow were unveiled in the Capitol Rotunda Friday. Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden says the Lee, Byrne and Bulow were instrumental is shaping South Dakota.
Sculptors Lee Leuning, Sherri Treeby, James Micheal Maher and James Van Nyes have created nearly all of the bronze likenesses of the state’s former governors. For Van Nyes, the emotions were mixed.
The privately funded statues are gifted by the Trail of Governors Foundation to the City of Pierre and Mayor Steve Harding says the Trail has been a wonderful addition to the city.
Some of the statues still have funding opportunities available. With the trail up-to-date, the next addition will be a statue of current Governor Kristi Noem when she leaves office for the final time.