Photo provided by Jimmy Kiser, Linda Little and Brenda Damron of Pike County Public Works.
PIKEVILLE, KENTUCKY
N 37° 28.739 / W 082° 31.032
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260048.
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260048.
Located in plaza area in back of Pike County Courthouse, 146 Main St. The statue was originally installed in front of the courthouse, but was moved to its current location sometime in the 1980s. Thanks to site visitor Jay Goins for the info pertaining to the move.
The plaque inscription on the front of the marble base reads:
1917 1918
PIKE COUNTY
KENTUCKY
THEY GAVE THEIR ALL
IN THEIR
COUNTRY’S SERVICE
(followed by list of 43 names)
LEST WE FORGET
1917 1918
PIKE COUNTY
KENTUCKY
THEY GAVE THEIR ALL
IN THEIR
COUNTRY’S SERVICE
(followed by list of 43 names)
LEST WE FORGET
Attempts to learn the initial dedication date of this Doughboy haven’t been successful. The Smithsonian record states an installation year of 1920, which isn't possible, since the first Viquesney Doughboy statue wasn't manufactured and installed until June of 1921. Also, the copyright mark bears the name Spencer, Indiana rather than Americus, Georgia. Copyrights listing Spencer didn't appear until 1926 or 1927, after Viquesney reacquired the rights to his Doughboy company from his former business partner in Americus, Walter Rylander.
A search of files of old newspapers through 1929 by Pikeville Librarian, Christy Fleming, didn’t find an article that mentioned its dedication so its likely it was originally dedicated in the range of 1930-1933. The plaza where it is located did not exist then, at least in its current form, so it has been relocated at some date, even though it was probably always somewhere in Courthouse Square.
A search of files of old newspapers through 1929 by Pikeville Librarian, Christy Fleming, didn’t find an article that mentioned its dedication so its likely it was originally dedicated in the range of 1930-1933. The plaza where it is located did not exist then, at least in its current form, so it has been relocated at some date, even though it was probably always somewhere in Courthouse Square.
