The Clearwater Sailor and Doughboy in their new setting near the new Memorial Causeway Bridge.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
N 27° 57.7423 / W° 82 48.159
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Numbers: 47260010, 47260136.
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Numbers: 47260010, 47260136.
The photo above shows "The Spirit of the American Doughboy" and "The Spirit of the American Navy" at the new Court Street approach to the east end of the new Memorial Causeway Bridge.
A new plaque on the pedestal of the Doughboy reads:
Spirit of the American Doughboy
Artist: E.M. Viquesney (1876 - 1946)
Copyrighted in 1920
Originally dedicated on November 11, 1927
at the opening ceremony
of the Memorial Causeway Bridge.
Donated by the American Legion Post 7
in memory of 38 local service men
who died in World War I.
Rededicated November 10, 2006
following the completion of the
new Memorial Causeway Bridge in 2005,
the statue was restored and reinstalled.
Considered Viquesney's greatest work of art,
132 original "Doughboys" are still in existence.
A plaque with similar wording is mounted on the pedestal of the Sailor.
Spirit of the American Doughboy
Artist: E.M. Viquesney (1876 - 1946)
Copyrighted in 1920
Originally dedicated on November 11, 1927
at the opening ceremony
of the Memorial Causeway Bridge.
Donated by the American Legion Post 7
in memory of 38 local service men
who died in World War I.
Rededicated November 10, 2006
following the completion of the
new Memorial Causeway Bridge in 2005,
the statue was restored and reinstalled.
Considered Viquesney's greatest work of art,
132 original "Doughboys" are still in existence.
A plaque with similar wording is mounted on the pedestal of the Sailor.
At the original dedication in 1927, the sculptures once bore the emblem of the American Legion, but were actually acquired with funds raised by all local veteran posts of the day. More than 25,000 people attended the original dedication, which included a parade and fireworks.
 Sailor and Doughboy undergoing restoration. |
 Refurbished and on new pedestals. |
Before the move.
For many years, the Doughboy’s bayonet was missing, and the rifle barrel had been replaced by a metal tube (left). However, the sculptures were removed in May 2002 and placed in storage while the new Memorial Causeway Bridge was being built. They were restored by sculptor Frank Colson and son of Sarasota, Florida and were re-installed at their new location at a public re-dedication ceremony on November 10, 2006. Mr. Colson had previously used the Clearwater Doughboy as a mold for the replica he fashioned that was installed at Sarasota on Memorial Day 1998. The Clearwater re-installation includes a new flagpole, historical marker, lighting, and landscaping, and the statues now stand upon two new pedestals about 10 feet tall.
All photos except left: Thomas Walbot, Clearwater, Florida.
All photos except left: Thomas Walbot, Clearwater, Florida.
Links:
waymarking.com
flickr.com
waymarking.com
flickr.com
