County of town: Hardeman County
Location of city: just north of being dead -center in county; crossroads of US-64 & TN-18/TN-125
Courthouse Location: 100 N. Main St., Bolivar
Elevation: 446 ft (136 m)
Population: 5,241 (2013)
Location of statue: 100 N. Main St., courthouse lawn, Bolivar
Artist: Unknown
Date erected: 1983
Gift of the People of Venezuela
Text on Monument Base: From the Government and the people of Republic of Venezuela and the partners of the Americas Venezuela - Tennessee to the City of Bolivar on the celebrations of the bicentennial of the birth of the Liberator 1783 - 1983.
Proper Description: "A bust of Simon Bolivar atop a simple rectangular pedestal. Bolivar wears a military jacket which has epaulets, a high collar and a leaf design on the chest. His hair is combed straight back and he looks straight ahead." ~ Smithsonian American Art Museum
Remarks: "Presented to the City of Bolivar by the government and people of Venezuela on the bicentennial of Bolivar's birth." ~ Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Person
Simón Bolívar
Military Leader (1783–1830)
QUICK FACTS
BIRTH DATE: July 24, 1783
DEATH DATE: December 17, 1830
PLACE OF BIRTH: Caracas, Venezuela
PLACE OF DEATH: Santa Marta, Colombia
AKA: Simon Bolivar
FULL NAME: Simón José Antonio de la Santísma Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios
SYNOPSIS
"Simón Bolívar was a South American soldier who was instrumental in the continent's revolutions against the Spanish empire. Born into wealth, Bolívar was sent to Spain for his education, soon deciding to immerse himself in the political sphere in Europe. After France invaded Spain in 1808, he became involved in the resistance movement and played a key role in the Spanish American fight for independence. In 1825, the "Republic of Bolivia" was created in honor of the inspirational leader, hailed by many as El Libertador (The Liberator). He died on December 17, 1830 in Colombia.
Early Life
"Simón José Antonio de la Santísma Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios was born on July 24, 1783 in Caracas, New Granada (now Venezuela). Bolívar was born into a prosperous family who took their money from rich gold and copper mines they owned in Venezuela. Young Bolívar moved to Spain in 1799 after the deaths of his parents. In Spain, he continued his education, begun in Venezuela with tutors, and married María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro y Alaysa in 1802. When the young couple returned to Venezuela to visit in 1803, however, María Teresa sickened and died of yellow fever.
'El Libertador'
"After her death, Bólivar returned to Europe and kept company with Napoleon. Bolívar returned to Venezuela in 1807. When Napoleon named Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain and its colonies, which included Venezuela, Bolívar joined the resistance movement. The resistance group based in Caracas gained independence in 1810, and Bolívar traveled to Britain on a diplomatic mission. The fight for control of Caracas, Venezuela and most of South American continued on back home.
"Finally, Bolívar returned to Venezuela and began a campaign to wrest control of that country from the Spanish. He and his followers invaded Venezuela on May 14, 1813; this marked the beginning of his "Compana Admirable" (Admirable Campaign), which resulted in the formation of the Venezuelan Second Republic later that year. Bolívar was hailed as El Libertador (The Liberator), though civil war soon erupted in the republic, forcing him to flee to Jamaica and seek foreign aid. There he wrote his famous "Letter From Jamaica," detailing his vision of a South American republic with a parliamentary setup modeled after England and a life-long president. His idea of being a nation's chief who could not be removed from power would be heavily critiqued by other leaders and intellectuals.
"Gaining support from Haiti, Bolívar returned to his home continent and became involved in a number of military battles, eventually able to claim several territories. 1821 saw the creation of the Gran Colombia, under Bolívar's leadership. This federation included much of what is now Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador. Further maneuvers saw him named Dictator of Peru in 1824, followed by the creation of Bolivia in 1825.
Later Years, Death and Legacy
"Bolívar had succeeded in uniting much of South America in a federation free from Spanish control, but the government was fragile. Despite his desire to create a union of states similar to that which created the United States of America, Bolívar faced opposition from internal factions throughout the huge Gran Colombia, with there being a push to form single nations. As a temporary measure, Bolívar declared himself dictator in 1828, though in September of the same year he escaped an assassination attempt with aid from his mistress and fellow revolutionary Manuela Sáenz. He resigned this post in 1830 and made plans to sail for exile in Europe. On December 17, 1830, however, Simón Bolívar died in Santa Marta, Colombia, after a battle with what may have been tuberculosis.
"Today, Bolívar's legacy can be seen in the multitude of statues and plaza squares bearing his likeness throughout South and North America. Several cities and towns throughout the United States are named in his honor and statues and roads bearing his name can be found in a variety of international locales, including Egypt, Australia and Turkey." ~ bio: A&E Television Networks
The Place:
"Long before the white settler came, the Chickasaw Indians used the river crossing Hatchee. In their language it means river. Hatchee Town was used as a stopping point from 1818 until October 18, 1825 when the permanent site for Bolivar was established. The Commissioners appointed by the State Assembly to select sites for county seats in the Western District named Bolivar in honor of the South American liberator, Simon Bolivar. First, Hatchie Town was offered as a site by Major William Ramsey, but because of repeated flooding it was decided to move one mile south. Major Ramsey again offered his land and deeded the major part for the town. Samuel Polk, who was executor of his father’s estate, deeded the remainder of the fifty acres in behalf of Ezekiel Polk who had died in 1824. One choice lot was given to the donors when the town was plotted for payment.
"Commissioners for the town were John Y. Cockeram, Thomas J. Hardeman, Nathaniel Steele, West Harris, and John H. Bills. The sale of lots was held 22 April 1825 and produced $6,000 which was used for building a courthouse and jail. There is a map existent showing the purchasers of the lots.
"In 1827 citizens complained about business buildings located on court square saying that they detracted from the beauty of the court house lawn. A Commission was formed of C.C. Collier, Pitser Miller, Austin Miller, West Harris, J.Pitchford and Nathaniel Steele to raise subscriptions to buy the property. There were a few businesses still on the square when the courthouse was rebuilt in 1868.
"The poor were taken care of in the town until provisions were made by the court to establish poor houses in 1843.
"The common burying ground was located at Hatchie Town until it was established on the eastern side of Bolivar in July 1826. It has been called Riverside and Bolivar Cemetery. Union Cemetery was purchased in 1860 and became the town cemetery. In 1924 Mary Ingram Williams was responsible for chartering a committee to maintain this site with perpetual care. The most noted family plot is Polk Cemetery in the southwestern part of town." ~ History of Bolivar