Trail of Tears - Mandan ND - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

This is Whispering Giant #39 - Trail of Tears which was carved by Peter Wolf Toth as a gift to the people of North Dakota, honoring Native Americans in the area. It is cottonwood and stands 25 feet tall. It was dedicated on Nov. 24, 1981. It is one of about 70 Indian head carvings by Peter Toth.

Smithsonian description:
Head of a Native American Indian, attached to the octagon-shaped base with 8 large bolts, visible through a gap between the two. The Indian has high cheekbones, hook nose, circular medallions around his neck, and a headband with two tiers of feathered plumes on top. The head "is of no particular tribe but is a composite of all the Indian tribes whose history is part of the state's history - Mandan, Sioux, and Chippewa."

I found this photo by courthouselover on flickr that shows the original plaque that is no longer on the base of this Whispering Giant.


~ text from the missing plaque ~
Trail of Tears
Peter Toth, sculptor
Dedicated Nov. 24, 1981 - No. 39
In remembrance to a proud and noble people...
Peter Toth, Sculptor, is carving at least one Indian Monument in each of the 50 states, to raise the nation's conscience to the plight of the native Americans.
It is his gift to the people, made possible through community efforts.

Contributors
Mrs. Bill Helbing - Mandan Centennial Committee
Bullinger Tree Service - Superior Lumber
Mandan City Crew - Morton County Crew
L&H Manufacturing - Bailey Construction Inc.
Welk Steel - Belohlavek Landscaping - Stage Stop Inc.
Mandan Chamber of Commerce
Mandan Parks Dept. - Mandan Police Dept.
Elmer Worthington - Jake Hertz

TITLE: Trail of Tears ARTIST(S): Toth, Peter, 1947- , sculptor. DATE: Summer 1981. Dedicated Nov. 24, 1981. MEDIUM: Cottonwood on a concrete base. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS ND000040 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: in front of Stage Stop Liquor Store 611 6th Avenue SE at 3rd Street Mandan, North Dakota DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: There are no bricks and no plaque on the base anymore. It is just concrete.

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