Spirit of the Doughboy Statue-Nashville, Georgia
Posted by: 
Sprinterman
N 31° 12.413 W 083° 14.995
17R E 285648 N 3454711
Located on the lawn of the Berrian County Courthouse is Nashville, Georgia.
Waymark Code: WMBRXG
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 06/18/2011
Views: 5
Copyrighted 1920, 1934. Installed between 1920 and 1923. Dedicated ca. 1921 or 1922. Relocated 1950s.
Medium: Sculpture: cast bronze; Base: granite; Foundation: brick.
Dimensions: Sculpture: approx. 7 x 2 x 2 ft.; Base: approx. 10 ft. x 7 ft. 8 in. x 7 ft.
Inscription: unsigned
Description: Figure of a World War I infantryman advancing through the stumps and barbed wire of No Man's Land. He holds a Springfield rifle in his proper left hand, with peep site in rear, and a grenade in his upraised proper right hand. His uniform consists of an ammo packet, canteen, backpack, bayonet scabbard, gas mask and helmet. The sculpture sits atop granite base with shield shapes on each side and stars and stripes decorations. The granite pedestal sits atop a paved brick footing.
Remarks: Funds for the sculpture were raised by a memorial committee headed by Rev. P. T. Knight (Ray City, GA). The sculpture was erected between 1920 and 1923 and was dedicated ca. 1921 or 1922. It was left veiled until late 1923, pending completion of fund raising efforts. The sculpture was originally installed in the middle of Marrion Avenue, facing north approximately 50 feet west of where it now stands. It was moved in the early 1950s and rededicated when Marrion Avenue, Georgia Highway 129 was paved. A member of the Parrish family who had a monument carving company in Nashville possibly may have assisted in carving the base.
IAS files contain related newsclippings from Nashville Herald (Nashville, GA) Nov. 29, 1918, with an appeal for funding for the granite monument which cost $1,375. IAS files also contain unidentified publication with photograph of back view of sculpture, when still located on Marrion Street.
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