Home»All Photographs»Events»South Dakota Civil War Monument Rededication

On June 1, 2015, the State of South Dakota held a ceremony to rededicate the South Dakota Civil War Monument in Pierre, SD. The monument was originally dedicated on June 1, 1920 in remembrance of the sacrifices of the veterans of the Civil War. In the 1870's and 1880's, many Civil War veterans had relocated to the South Dakota area. Discussions for the memorial began in 1912 with the statue being finished in 1918, but it arrived too late in 1919 to be dedicated, so the dedication occurred in 1920. The original dedication included members of the Grand Army of the Republic with then Governor Peter Norbeck leading the dedication. The rededication ceremony was lead by Governor Dennis Daugaard in which the ceremony was a reenactment of the original ceremony and speeches. There were members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in time period uniforms that participated and a special 35-star replica American flag was raised during the ceremony.

This monument was the first war monument erected on State grounds in Pierre, SD. It was erected on a small triangular shaped park with no other features. As part of the rededication, cement sidewalks were put in leading up to and around the monument. Also, two interpretive signs were added, along with lighting and a flag pole. These additions have helped give this monument the proper setting it deserves.

This gallery contains photographs I took of this ceremony and of some of the participants.