Apotheosis of Saint Louis - Saint Louis
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 38° 38.392 W 090° 17.644
15S E 735514 N 4280287
This statue is at the top of Art Hill in Forest Park, St Louis, Missouri during the 1904 Worlds Fair it stood at the fair entrance.
Waymark Code: WM31BF
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 01/24/2008
Views: 72
The original plaster model of this statue of the Crusader King, Louis IX of France, stood at the main entrance to the 1904 World's Fair. After the fair the Louisiana Exposition Committee decided to have the statue recast in bronze and present it to the City of St Louis. They approached Charles H.Niehaus the original sculptor, who offered to cast it in bronze for $90,000 a price that was too high and it was canceled. A local firm, W. R. Hodges, proposed to complete the project for $37,500. The artist protested and sued for ownership rights, but the commission accepted the Hodges offer and the statue was replicated. Seven months after the dedication of the new gift, the artist was awarded $3,000 in payment with the stipulation that the pedestal be inscribed "Designed by C.H. Niehaus."
The Apotheosis of St. Louis was the symbol of St Louis for many years until the Gateway Arch was adopted as the symbol.
Original Name of Structure (during fair): Statue of the Crusader King, Louis IX of France
Current Name of Structure: Apotheosis of Saint Louis
Architect/Designer: Charles H.Niehaus
Fair Name: Louisiana Purchase Exposition—also known as the 1904 World’s Fair
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Year of Fair: 1904
Theme of Fair: Louisiana Purchase Exposition
Website Proof: [Web Link]
Website Reference: Not listed
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