Reliabank, which is celebrating 100 years of doing business in 2020, was recognized by the South Dakota State Historical Society for its efforts in preserving state history. The bank was one of two organizations and four individuals to receive a 2020 Governor’s Award for History.
Reliabank, under the direction of David and Jan Johnson, has been involved in several historic preservation projects in the Watertown area, including the First State Bank of Hazel, now known as Reliabank of Hazel, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The bank pledged $250,000 to Friends of Goss Opera House Main Hall, to be renamed Reliabank Hall, and the bank has facilitated loans for a revolving loan program for Historic South Dakota.
“We are pleased to give out these awards,” said Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. “These are just a few of the shining examples of how people across the state are helping us in our efforts to promote, nurture and sustain South Dakota history.” See the full recipient list.