Belle Fourche, SD
When the Belle Fourche Centennial Committee reached out to me about creating a statue to mark South Dakota’s centennial and 100 years of Belle Fourche, it felt like an honor—and a responsibility. This wasn’t just another project; it was a piece of history. They wanted a statue that would stand as a tribute to the cowboys, ranchers, and settlers who made Belle Fourche what it is. And as someone who’s spent my life roping, riding, and capturing the West in bronze, I knew I had to pour every ounce of that spirit into this piece.
The statue itself is no small thing—eight-and-a-half feet of solid bronze, capturing a cowboy mid-ride on a bucking bronc. That energy, that grit—it’s a reflection of the people who settled this place and those who call it home today. I started by crafting a small maquette, an eight-and-a-half-inch clay model, to give shape to the vision. From there, I scaled it up, turning clay into the full-sized statue that now stands proudly at Centennial Park.
We used the lost wax method to pour the statue in pieces, then welded each part together, ensuring every detail was as strong as the heart behind it. The finished bronze was polished and set in place, and there it stands—a symbol of a century of resilience and pride for Belle Fourche.
And then there’s the time capsule, nestled beneath the statue, packed with memories from 1989 to be opened in 2089. Letters from local folks, photos, a map, a bible, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, and all kinds of mementos capturing a snapshot of the town’s life. It’s a little piece of the past meant for the future.
I’m humbled to have had the chance to work on something that means so much to Belle Fourche—a place that’s as tough and true as the people who live here. If you ever find yourself at Centennial Park, take a moment to look up at that cowboy, tip your hat to the past, and think about the future generations who’ll be doing the same in 2089.
Learn more about the The Tri-State Museum & Visitors Center here.
