Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Pillars of the Nation

McKennan Park Historic District

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 3, 2017

1. Pillars of the Nation Marker

Inscription.

With World War II threatening the tranquility of the United States in 1940, Oscar Ellefson, caretaker and builder of many early McKennan Park attractions, proposed a new project. Ellefson envisioned designing and building two pillars made of stones native to each of then 48 states that would symbolize the unity and strength of the nation. With help from the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, letters were sent to chamber offices in every state capital requesting specimens of local stone.
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Nationwide patriotic fervor fueled the project. All states readily responded with stones found in their locales. The pillars were completed in August 1941 and were named "The Pillars of the Nation."

Emil M. Christianson of Hills, Minnesota, earlier had donated native South Dakota stone fossils and Indian artifacts to build the two older pillars.

In 1999 the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department refurbished all four pillars and installed lighting fixtures on the "South Dakota " pillars.

Erected 2000 by Minnehaha County Historical Society and by Dr. and Mrs. John Wichtman in Honor of their Daughters, Meg and Laura.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas

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. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1941.

Location. 43° 31.944′ N, 96° 43.421′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. Marker is on S 2nd Ave north of E 23rd St. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sioux Falls SD 57105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Sunken Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Lady Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. Melvin Grigsby (1845-1917) (within shouting distance of this marker); A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Helen McKennan Home (about 300 feet away); McKennan Park World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away); The Miniature Village (about 300 feet away); The Formal Gardens, Caretaker's Lodge & Greenhouse (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 3, 2017

2. Pillars of the Nation Marker

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 3, 2017

3. Pillars of the Nation Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 441 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.