“Greatest governor” some call him. Right here stands the 22nd Governor of Minnesota Floyd B. Olson Statue. It commemorates a man who left an indelible mark on Minnesota.
Floyd B. Olson served as governor from 1931 to 1936. He was a member of the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party. He was the first from that party to hold the office. Olson died in office at only 44 years old.
Born in Minneapolis in 1891, Olson grew up on the city’s North Side. His father was Norwegian and his mother Swedish. He connected with his Jewish neighbors and even spoke Yiddish.
After high school, Olson worked for the Northern Pacific Railway. He attended the University of Minnesota for a year. Then he traveled west. He worked odd jobs in Canada, Alaska and Seattle. He joined the Industrial Workers of the World.
Olson returned to Minnesota and earned a law degree in 1915. He married Ada Krejci. He began his law practice.
In 1919, Olson became an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney. By 1920, he was the Hennepin County Attorney. He gained a reputation as a stern prosecutor. He targeted crooked businessmen. Olson even took on the Ku Klux Klan.
In 1923, Olson prosecuted leaders of the Minnesota Citizens Alliance. They had hired a hitman to dynamite a union leader’s home. This made Olson a hero to the labor movement. They urged him to run for governor.
Olson won the Farmer-Labor Party’s nomination in 1924. He lost the election to Republican Theodore Christianson. In 1930, Olson ran for governor again and won by a landslide. He formed a coalition of farmers, labor and small businessmen.
As governor, Olson championed progressive policies. He introduced a progressive income tax. He created social security for the elderly. He expanded environmental conservation programs. Olson guaranteed equal pay for women. He supported collective bargaining. He instituted a minimum wage and unemployment insurance.
Olson’s most ambitious proposal failed. It aimed to put Minnesota’s utilities, mines and other industries under state ownership. The legislature rejected it as socialism.
In 1933, Olson threatened to declare martial law. He wanted to ensure aid for those suffering during the Depression.
During a truckers’ strike in 1934, Olson declared martial law. He mobilized the National Guard to restore order. Negotiations resumed and the dispute ended.
Despite his achievements, Olson faced allegations of links to organized crime. Newspaper editor Walter Liggett made these claims. Liggett was murdered but no evidence implicated Olson.
Olson allied with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and supported him in 1936. Roosevelt needed Olson’s support in Minnesota.
In 1935, Olson announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate. But his health was failing. He suffered from severe ulcers. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He died in August 1936 at 44 years old.
Since his death, many statues have been erected to honor Olson. He is often called Minnesota’s “greatest governor.” Minnesota State Highway 55 was renamed the “Floyd B. Olson Memorial Highway.” This statue stands as a testament to his enduring legacy. It reminds us of his commitment to the people of Minnesota.