BROOKINGS George S. Mickelson, South Dakotas 28th governor, was killed in a plane crash in Iowa on April 19, 1993. The next year moves were afoot to ensure that he would not be forgotten.
There was such an outpouring of support and wanting to do something in memory of the governor, said Lisa Marotz, director of operations for the McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center since May 2016. Her predecessor, the late Norman Norm Evers, first director of McCrory Gardens, from 1984 to 2004, was a key driver for what would become the Mickelson Grove, a memorial located in McCrory Gardens. In the center of the grove stands a 6-foot, 4-inch (Mickelsons height) solid granite monument honoring the late governor.
He designed what it looked like, what the whole grove would look like, what it should entail, and why, explained Marotz, paying tribute to Evers. She added that Evers was contacted by people wanting to plant trees in memory of Mickelson. From that feeling came bigger thinking. I think thats what spurred on the idea of having an actual memorial grove.
The idea for the monument was spurred to fruition via a sale of engraved bricks for $25 each. Thousands of bricks, many of them engraved with the names of the donors, now make a plaza that surrounds the monument.
It served as a fundraiser and it had been hoped the money raised would cover the expenses of the brick, the monument and then begin an endowment for maintenance and repair, Marotz explained. But (the endowment) didnt happen and thats an underlying story for the 60th birthday of the Gardens.
The bricks are no longer being sold. If we were ever to consider doing that again, wed have to find out who would do such work.
Dirt, trees and granite
Following the bricks sale, events moved quickly in 1994. With town-and-gown dignitaries present, including South Dakota State University President Robert Wagner and Brookings Mayor Orin Juel, groundbreaking for the grove was held. Also there to move some dirt were students from Medary Elementary School.
Later in the year, the multi-ton solid granite monumentarrived and was put in place in Mickelson Grove. Following that came dedication day: Aug. 19, 1994. In attendance again were the town-and-gown community, state and local dignitaries and members of the public.
The magnificence of the monument can be seen in the granite itself, accentuated by the words of the governor engraved thereon: State of the State Address of 1990: South Dakotans have always had the courage to face our problems head-on. And now we must continue to be bold and courageous to move South Dakota forward. G.S.M.
At present, however, while there are many engravings on the granite monument, many of the etched-in words can be recognized by touch but they cannot be read. Cleaning and other restoration work will correct those deficiencies and make the governors words legible.
It has been cleaned, Marotz explained. And maybe that took the white out of it.
Also contributing to the monuments presence in creating a grand presentation of the serene space are multiple trees, Bur Oaks and Black Hills Spruce.
This year, in addition to being the 59th birthday of the gardens, marks the 36th Annual Garden Party. The Gardens will be 60 years old in 2025; for half of those decades, the Mickelson Memorial Grove has occupied a place of honor. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the installation of the monument in Mickelson Grove.
The free annual garden party celebration begins today at about 6:30 this evening. Attendees can enjoy tours of the gardens, free SDSU ice cream and live jazz entertainment by the Johnson & McKinney quartet.
Add to the occasion a brief Power Point presentation by the director about the Mickelson Grove and the history of how it came to be and its present restoration needs. She noted that no dedicated funding is set aside for the upkeep of Mickelson Grove. There is, however, funding from SDSU which owns the Gardens, and from memberships, donations and visitors paying admission.
We have people (visiting) from all 50 states and many different countries, Marotz noted.
And while she knows pretty much all there is to know about the Grove and the monument, there are two key points she doesnt know, despite extensive detective work: Who crafted the monument and where was it done?
Out of every piece of history I have, theres nothing detailing where the monument was made, Marotz explained. Ive called Milbank, the granite folks (Dakota Granite). They dont have any record of it. Brookings Monument didnt have anything to do with it, as far as their records show. Youd think it would be one of those things that people would be like, Oh, yeah, look at our work; we did this for and its currently at McCrory Gardens. I know how it got here. I have pictures of a truck, but I cant see a name on the truck.
For the monument itself, I have not come across anything, Marotz said, as to a lack of any paper trail tied to the monument.
Check out the cottage and garden
While the Mickelson Memorial Grove will be a high point to be seen today at the annual garden party, she also recommends viewing the Cottage Garden, with its cute little cottage surrounded with annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables.
The cottage has been completely renovated, Marotz explained. It was moved to the Gardens from Lake Preston in 1996. It had been a gas station. The structure was built around 1928 as a gas station.
The donor for the cottage was Ann Renli. She made the donation in memory of her mother who loved gardens, English gardens, interior design.
Its been totally renovated, the director explained. So now its reusable space. Its been used for a birthday party and a dinner for two.
The cottage could also be used for the various gatherings needed around a wedding. Prior to the installation of the fence that now surrounds the Gardens, the cottage had been vandalized on frequent occasions. Marotz noted: windows broken, the inside spray-painted.
Contact John Kubal at [email protected].
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