Beresford in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
William J. Bulow
Twelfth Governor of South Dakota
February 1, 2026
1. William J. Bulow Marker
Inscription.
William J. Bulow was born in 1869 in Claremont County, Ohio. Receiving an LLB in 1893 from the University of Michigan, he came to South Dakota and opened a law practice in Beresford, where he served as mayor and city attorney before his election as governor of South Dakota on the Democratic ticket in 1926 and 1928. A lifelong Cleveland Democrat, the governor incurred the wrath of New Deal President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In 1932 and 1936, Bulow was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he was instrumental in securing for Beresford its modern post office, dedicated in 1940. He also played a role in the routing of U.S. Highway 77 through the town's main thoroughfare. Before retiring from public life in 1942, Senator Bulow made many similar contributions to the community, state and nation. The senator died in 1960 and is buried in St. John's Cemetery east of Beresford.
William J. Bulow was born in 1869 in Claremont County, Ohio. Receiving an LLB in 1893 from the University of Michigan, he came to South Dakota and opened a law practice in Beresford, where he served as mayor and city attorney before his election as governor of South Dakota on the Democratic ticket in 1926 and 1928. A lifelong Cleveland Democrat, the governor incurred the wrath of New Deal President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In 1932 and 1936, Bulow was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he was instrumental in securing for Beresford its modern post office, dedicated in 1940. He also played a role in the routing of U.S. Highway 77 through the town's main thoroughfare. Before retiring from public life in 1942, Senator Bulow made many similar contributions to the community, state and nation. The senator died in 1960 and is buried in St. John's Cemetery east of Beresford.
Erected 1989 by the City of Beresford, the S.D. State Historical Society and the S.D. Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 503.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it
Location. 43° 5.014′ N, 96° 46.352′ W. Marker is in Beresford, South Dakota, in Union County. It is at the intersection of East Cedar Street (State Highway 46) and North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east on East Cedar Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beresford SD 57004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East River. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Beresford Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Memorial Tree (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bulow Park (approx. half a mile away); Memorial Day Order (approx. 0.6 miles away);
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2026. This page has been viewed 62 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2026.
