Governor #10: William H. McMaster

Pierre, South Dakota

In office 1921-1925

William McMaster, a former paperboy and college football coach, was elected governor of South Dakota for two terms, beginning in 1921. During his administration South Dakota built its first concrete state highway, a 21-mile stretch between Dell Rapids and Sioux Falls. At the time, that was a big deal.

McMaster's statue, by sculptor James Van Nuys, is seated on a bench with a friendly arm stretched along its back. At his feet is a can of gasoline, because McMaster was best known for using the power of the state to lower the price of gasoline in South Dakota -- making it less expensive to drive on that new concrete highway.