Picture
Left photo provided by Post Commander Marty Hoard, right photo Bob Dean, Anderson, SC.

ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA

N 34° 31.511 / W 082° 38.523

Original: Copyright version 1934, cast zinc (now in museum).
2011 replacement: Cast bronze replica of 1920 version.

Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: SC000007.
At W. A. Hudgens American Legion Post No. 14, 1301 Greenville Street.
The inscription on the plaque reads:

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
OUR COMRADES WHO ENTERED THE
SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY
FROM ANDERSON COUNTY
AND WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN
THE WORLD WAR
-----------------
PRESENTED BY
W. A. HUDGENS POST No. 14,
AMERICAN LEGION
NOVEMBER 11, 1934
There are three large stone memorials in line with the Doughboy, honoring World War I and II, Korean, and Vietnam veterans, and General Robert Anderson, a Revolutionary hero for whom the town was named when it was founded in 1827.
Picture
The Doughboy on its original mound setting, 1940.
Originally located on a large mound of rocks at the intersection of Boulevard Heights and East Calhoun Streets near Anderson University.

In the 1940’s, to accommodate the City, the Post deeded a plot to the City and the City paid to move the Doughboy to Post property, where it was accidentally installed on State land. It was then moved to a position where it was fastened to the ground (with no pedestal) near the Post flagpole and building. In the 1960’s, vandals pulled the sculpture down and stole the rifle. The Legion then had a monument company make the stone base and place the sculpture in front of the Post building. Some bands were added around the legs and stumps to help hold it in position.

A major refurbishment was performed in the summer of 2003 by restorer Ted Monnich. In the process, the rifle and bayonet were replaced and the bands around the legs and stumps were removed.
Picture
Photo: Anderson Independent Mail.

 

Picture
Independent Mail headline.
A few days before Memorial Day, 2008, the statue was destroyed by apparent metal thieves who possibly thought the statue was copper, and who just left it lying on the ground when they discovered it was zinc. A $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandals.

The pieces were taken to Columbia, South Carolina and repaired by Ted Monnich, the same man responsible for the 2003 restoration, but the statue is now deemed too fragile to be returned to its original outdoor location. It is currently stored in the Anderson County Museum.

Unfortunately the statue was one of only four made in 1934 that had the "closed mouth" design. The original 1920 version, and those made in 1935 and later, had an open mouth with teeth showing.

Veterans Day, November 11, 2011

It took three and one-half years of planning and fundraising, but at last a new replacement for the destroyed original Doughboy was unveailed at a rededication ceremony on 11/11/11.

Maria J. Kirby-Smith, the same sculptor who created the replacement Doughboy that now stands on the campus of Furman University at Greenville, cast the new bronze statue from the same molds, thus resulting in significant monetary savings to Anderson.

While the new statue is actually a copy of Viquesney's older 1920 copyright version instead of Anderson's original 1934 version, the residents of the city are too happy to care about minor differences in appearance. Many like the new Doughboy better.

There are plans to have the original 1934 statue put on public display inside the Anderson County Museum.
Picture
Anderson's new replacement Doughboy.
Links:
Historical Marker Database
independentmail.com/2008/may/21
independentmail.com/photos/2011/nov/11
independentmail.com/news/2011/nov/11
kevinbryant.com
youtube.com