 |
 Photo above provided by Gail Campbell, Johnson City Public Library. Above: The Doughboy at its old location in front of Steve Spurrier Memorial Stadium before it was torn down and replaced by the new Veterans Plaza and Memorial Park Community Campus.
Left: The restored Doughboy, August 30, 2013. Photo: Dave Boyd, Johnson City Press. Used by permission. |
JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE
N 36° 19.243 / W 082° 20.502
Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.
Smithsonian Art Inventory control Number: 47260105.
Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.
Smithsonian Art Inventory control Number: 47260105.
On the grounds of Veterans Plaza Memorial Park Community Campus, 510 Bert Street. The Doughboy statue is across the street from City Hall and City Police Headquarters.
The inscription on the plaque on the front of the base reads:
DEDICATED TO
THE MEMORY OF OUR COMRADES
WHO ENTERED THE SERVICE
OF THEIR COUNTRY
FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY
AND WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE WORLD WAR
PRESENTED BY
KINGS MOUNTAIN POST No. 24
AMERICAN LEGION
A plaque on the rear of the base reads identically except that it ends:
IN WORLD WAR II, KOREAN
AND VIETNAM WARS
and the date
NOVEMBER 11, 1974
DEDICATED TO
THE MEMORY OF OUR COMRADES
WHO ENTERED THE SERVICE
OF THEIR COUNTRY
FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY
AND WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE WORLD WAR
PRESENTED BY
KINGS MOUNTAIN POST No. 24
AMERICAN LEGION
A plaque on the rear of the base reads identically except that it ends:
IN WORLD WAR II, KOREAN
AND VIETNAM WARS
and the date
NOVEMBER 11, 1974
Dedicated November 11, 1935. Rededicated later (November 11, 1974) to include those who served and died in other wars. A separate nearby stone memorial erected by the Johnson City Jaycees in 1975 honors those who gave their lives in the Vietnam War (with names).
According to a Johnson City Press newsclipping archive, there was a "Doughboy Day" held in 1974, probably involving the rededication.
The statue is designated as a historical marker at the main entrance to the new 25-acre Memorial Park Community Campus on the site of the former stadium which was torn down in August of 2010.
The Doughboy appears to be in good condition.
In September, 2012, the statue was dismounted and taken to a local company, Gardner Paint Services, for refurbishment, application of a new coating. and replacement of the missing bayonet. It was returned on August 30, 2013, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the new Veterans Plaza.
Update May 23, 2019: The statue was again rededicated on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the chartering of the American Legion.
According to a Johnson City Press newsclipping archive, there was a "Doughboy Day" held in 1974, probably involving the rededication.
The statue is designated as a historical marker at the main entrance to the new 25-acre Memorial Park Community Campus on the site of the former stadium which was torn down in August of 2010.
The Doughboy appears to be in good condition.
In September, 2012, the statue was dismounted and taken to a local company, Gardner Paint Services, for refurbishment, application of a new coating. and replacement of the missing bayonet. It was returned on August 30, 2013, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the new Veterans Plaza.
Update May 23, 2019: The statue was again rededicated on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the chartering of the American Legion.
