Monument to Friedrich Hecker - Benton Park - St. Louis, MO
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member YoSam.
N 38° 35.830 W 090° 13.321
15S E 741929 N 4275735
Obelisk in honor of a German-American who fought for what he believed
Waymark Code: WMMK5Y
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 10/01/2014
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member saopaulo1
Views: 2

County of monument: St. Louis Independent City
Location of park: bordered by S. Jefferson Ave., Arsenal St., Wyoming St. & Illinois Ave.
Location of monument: Wyoming St. side, near Illinois Ave., Benton Park, St. Louis
Artist: Charles Steubenraugh, sculptor
Architect: Ernest C. Janssen, Ernest C.
Contractor: Hurricane Granite Company

Proper Description: "Monument to Friedrich Hecker in the form of an obelisk decorated with medallions, torches, and stars. One of the medallions formerly featured a bronze bust of Hecker in high relief, which is now missing." ~ Smithsonian American Art Museum

Remarks: "Donated by Hecker Monument Association. Cost: $5,000. Friedrich Hecker was a German revolutionist who came to St. Louis in the 1840s. Hecker commanded a brigade of local German-Americans during the Civil War. Charles Steubenraugh was the sculptor of the portrait of Hecker, which is now missing." ~ Smithsonian American Art Museum

"Philosopher and writer Friedrick Hecker (1811-1881) came to this country as a refugee of the failed German Revolution of 1848 that was fought to establish a democratic republic. In Cincinnati, Hecker founded the first U.S. Turner Society, a social organization promoting gymnastics and education. Hecker served as an officer in the Civil War, and his many contributions in Germany to the German-American community are celebrated in this bust. The pedestal inscription translates, "With Word and Deed for the Freedom of the People in the Old and New Fatherlands."" ~ A Guide to Public Art in Cincinnati

Date Created/Placed: September 1882

Address:
Benton Park's site was originally set aside for a City cemetery at the time of the sale of land in the old St. Louis Commons in 1836. Benton Park was created by City Ordinance in 1866 after the founding of Bellefontaine and Calvary Cemeteries in North St. Louis made possible this transformation into a well shaded and popular pleasure area. Bordered by : S. Jefferson Ave., Arsenal St., Illinois Ave., & Wyoming St., in the Benton Park Neighborhood of St. Louis


Height: 30 feet

Illuminated: no

Website: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
Give a narrative of your experience. What did you think of the obelisk? Did you learn anything? Photos are always welcome too. Please no virtual visits.
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Obelisks
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet.