Inductees Preserving South Dakota's Natural Beauty
South Dakota is known for its grandiose beauty and awe-inspiring sights across the state. We wouldn’t have some of these amazing monuments, parks, and outdoor spaces without some amazing Inductees of the South Dakota Hall of Fame.
These Inductees have helped shape our state through their work to preserve natural spaces for many to enjoy. From towering monuments to lush parks–these Inductees have left legacies that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Scroll down to read about just some of the South Dakotans who have helped make our state one of the most beautiful places to be in the country.
John Gutzon Borglum (1867–1941) | Bear Lake, ID
John Gutzon Borglum was widely respected and admired for his larger-than-life carving of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota. On August 10, 1927, President Calvin Coolidge stood on a platform before 1,700 people at the base of Mount Rushmore. “We have come here to dedicate a cornerstone that was laid by the hand of the Almighty, “ he said. “… The Union of … four Presidents carved on the face of the everlasting hills of South Dakota will constitute a distinctly national monument. It will be decidedly American in its conception, in its magnitude, in its meaning, and altogether worthy of our country.” The monument took 12 years to complete and today receives over two million annual visitors from all over the world. Borglum passed away just one year prior to the monument’s completion. Learn more about John Gutzon Borglum on his Legacy Page here.
Dick Brown & Sue Brown (1945–2020) | Custer, sd
The Browns have raised millions to help establish multiple outdoor spaces throughout South Dakota. This work was most apparent when they became development directors of the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation. They raised more than 15 million dollars in private monies to create public assets such as Outdoor Campuses in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, Good Earth State Park, the Mickelson Trail, Custer State Park Visitor Center, and the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center. Dick also served as a commissioner of the state’s Game, Fish and Parks. Sue’s writing, both in prose and expository, captured the stunning beauty of South Dakota in a way that inspired others to join her and Dick in preserving the natural beauty of the state. Learn more about Dick Brown on his Legacy Page here, and Sue Brown on her Legacy Page here.
Herb Conn (1920–2012) & Jan Conn |White Mountains, NH
Herb and Jan Conn had a heart for adventure and rock climbing. After exploring much of the United States, they found a deep love for the Black Hills of South Dakota. After settling in the Hills in 1947, Jan became the first woman to free-climb Devil’s Tower. In 1959, Jan and Herb found a new love when they began exploring and mapping out Jewel Cave. For the next 22 years, the Conns made almost weekly trips into the cave, mapping over 65 miles of passages. When age began to hinder them from their adventures, Jan returned back to her first love of music. She composed and orchestrated a tone poem, “Paha Sapa,” which was played by the Centennial Orchestra directed by Robert Merrick in 1976. She composed and performed the background music for three films for Nauman Films. Learn more about Herb Conn on his Legacy Page here, and about Jan Conn on her Legacy Page here.
Leonel Jensen (1904–2002) | Viborg, SD
For several decades Leonel Jensen served the citizens of South Dakota on many levels. During his tenure with the Game, Fish & Parks Commission, Leonel helped to establish the first roadside parks along the state highways, started the prairie deer season, and introduced wild turkeys to the Cheyenne River Brakes. Jensen was also instrumental in developing a popular hiking path at Sylvan Lake called "Sunday Gulch Trail." In 1973, the South Dakota Wild Life Federation named him Wildlife Conservationist of the Year, and, due to his numerous contributions, Governor Janklow proclaimed January 18, 1985, Leonel Morgan Jensen Day in South Dakota. Learn more about Leonel on his Legacy Page here.
Former Governor Peter Norbeck (1870–1936) | Clay County, SD
Peter Norbeck made a number of historic contributions to South Dakota's tourism industry. He contributed to the development of the Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway in the Black Hills. He brought Gutzon Borglum to South Dakota and convinced Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide federal money for the carving of Mount Rushmore. He also contributed to the development of Sylvan Lake, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park. Today Custer state park alone receives over 2 million visitors annually, and the Tourism Industry has become one of the largest providers. Learn more about Former Governor Peter Norbeck on his Legacy Page here.
Robert Perry (1916–1998) | Aberdeen, SD
Robert “ Bob” Perry is credited with being the person that made Fort Sisseton into a state park in 1959, and the Chairman of the drive to make Sica Hollow into a state park and to get it recognized as a national historical site. Bob was known as a historian, for a number of reasons, most notably for his knowledge of and efforts to save Fort Sisseton. He spent countless hours on the project, doing research and appearing before the legislator. Today, Fort Sisseton is one of the state’s top tourist attractions. Bob wrote the book Prayer Rock, which is used as a textbook in several South Dakota school systems. It is the result of over 40 years of research by Perry on the Glacial Lake area of South Dakota. Bob has been the recipient of numerous awards for his historical preservation efforts and has served on many state and national boards. He has received such honors as the Ben Black Elk Award, South Dakota Volunteer of the Year, and Outstanding Friend of Education. Learn more about Robert on his Legacy Page here.
Korczak Ziolkowski (1908–1942) & Ruth Ziolkowski ( 1926–2014) | Custer, SD
Korczak and Ruth Ziolkowski have established a monument that continues to inspire and evolve to this day. Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest mountain carving and has been actively worked on for 75 years. In 1939, Sioux Chief Henry Standing Bear was looking to develop a memorial to the spirit of the Sioux Nation and their great Chief Crazy Horse. The first blast officially took place on June 3, 1948. Korczak worked on the project free of charge and without monetary support from the government, and felt very strongly that the interested public, not the government, should finance the memorial. All funds for the project have come from private individuals, organizations, and businesses. Ruth’s steadfast dedication to her husband’s vision evolved into her running the memorial and having a hand in nearly every day-to-day activity. Today, Crazy Horse Memorial welcomes nearly half a million visitors annually. Learn more about Korczak Ziolkowski on his Legacy Page here, and you can learn more about Ruth Ziolkowski on her Legacy Page here.