The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
MASON CITY, IOWA
N 43° 09.264 / W 093° 12.170
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260036.
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260036.
On lawn of Cerro Gordo County Courthouse at 3rd St. NW and Washington.
The plaque on the front reads:
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
THE MEN WHO ENTERED IN
SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY
FROM CERRO GORDO COUNTY
AND WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE WORLD WAR
ERECTED BY
LOCAL CHAPER, ORDER OF AHEPA
JUNE 24, 1934
A plaque on the back reads:
RESTORED BY
KARKADOULIAS BRONZE ART CO.
OF CINCINNATI, OHIO
WITH FUNDS DONATED BY
CITIZENS OF CERRO GORDO CO.
REDEDICATED ON NOVEMBER 11, 1993.
PROJECT COMPLETED BY
THE VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE
IN COOPERATION WITH
THE AHEPA LODGE, VFW, AMERICAN LEGION,
DAV, AMVET POSTS AND AUXILIARIES
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
THE MEN WHO ENTERED IN
SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY
FROM CERRO GORDO COUNTY
AND WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE WORLD WAR
ERECTED BY
LOCAL CHAPER, ORDER OF AHEPA
JUNE 24, 1934
A plaque on the back reads:
RESTORED BY
KARKADOULIAS BRONZE ART CO.
OF CINCINNATI, OHIO
WITH FUNDS DONATED BY
CITIZENS OF CERRO GORDO CO.
REDEDICATED ON NOVEMBER 11, 1993.
PROJECT COMPLETED BY
THE VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE
IN COOPERATION WITH
THE AHEPA LODGE, VFW, AMERICAN LEGION,
DAV, AMVET POSTS AND AUXILIARIES
(AHEPA stands for American Hellenic Education and Patriotic Association, a Greek/American organization.)
The Doughboy was originally at the old location of the county courthouse at 1st and Washington, but was moved to the current site at the new courthouse in 1960. It is in excellent condition and is the site of many patriotic observances.
This was the last of the 1920 copyright versions (taller stumps) to be placed on a regular basis (Warren, Ohio's is an exception), but a few features deviated from both the 1920 and 1934 versions. "SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN DOUGHBOY" appears on a plaque across the front of the base. That wasn’t on the 1920 version and was in letters embossed into the base on the 1934 version. The copyright plate, which does mention 1920, differs from other 1920 replicas. While attempts to learn more about these deviations haven’t succeeded, it’s believed they’re alterations made during restoration.
This was the last of the 1920 copyright versions (taller stumps) to be placed on a regular basis (Warren, Ohio's is an exception), but a few features deviated from both the 1920 and 1934 versions. "SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN DOUGHBOY" appears on a plaque across the front of the base. That wasn’t on the 1920 version and was in letters embossed into the base on the 1934 version. The copyright plate, which does mention 1920, differs from other 1920 replicas. While attempts to learn more about these deviations haven’t succeeded, it’s believed they’re alterations made during restoration.
