HOBART, OKLAHOMA
N 35° 01.508 / W 099° 05.567
Copyright version 1920 Doughboy), 1926 (Navy), sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Numbers: 47260091, 47260140.
Copyright version 1920 Doughboy), 1926 (Navy), sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Numbers: 47260091, 47260140.
In front of Kiowa County Courthouse on South Main Street.
The identical engravings on the bases of the Doughboy and Viquesney’s companion “Spirit of the American Navy” across the walk read:
DEDICATED
TO
VETERANS OF ALL WARS
TO
VETERANS OF ALL WARS
The Doughboy and Sailor sculptures were two of four originally dedicated May 30, 1929 at the two ends of the Memorial Bridge over the North Fork of the Red River on State Highway 9 – the county line between Hobart and Granite, Oklahoma. (See the descriptions of the Granite, Oklahoma Doughboy for more information about the dedication ceremony.)
After the four sculptures were removed from the bridge in the 1960s, they were placed in storage in the two towns – about 18 miles from one another. After restoration by James A. Pitt, Granite’s were rededicated at their current location in November 1979. Hobart’s were rededicated in front of the Kiowa Country Courthouse November 11, 1978.
There is considerable evidence of past repairs made to the sculptures.
Five other metal "Spirit of the American Navy" sculptures accompany Viquesney Doughboys at Kingman, Arizona; Clearwater, Florida; Naperville, Illinois; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Granite, Oklahoma; and a stone version at Crowell, Texas. A similar tribute to the Navy, titled "Sailor", occurs at Palatka, Florida, but although placed by Viquesney, it was not sculpted by him.
After the four sculptures were removed from the bridge in the 1960s, they were placed in storage in the two towns – about 18 miles from one another. After restoration by James A. Pitt, Granite’s were rededicated at their current location in November 1979. Hobart’s were rededicated in front of the Kiowa Country Courthouse November 11, 1978.
There is considerable evidence of past repairs made to the sculptures.
Five other metal "Spirit of the American Navy" sculptures accompany Viquesney Doughboys at Kingman, Arizona; Clearwater, Florida; Naperville, Illinois; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Granite, Oklahoma; and a stone version at Crowell, Texas. A similar tribute to the Navy, titled "Sailor", occurs at Palatka, Florida, but although placed by Viquesney, it was not sculpted by him.
Links:
flickr.com
flickr.com
