The Spirit of the American Doughboy-Griffin, Georgia - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

The Doughboy was originally dedicated May 30, 1928 in the center of the intersection of Hill and Taylor Streets in downtown Griffin. It was moved a few feet in 1950 to the edge of the median just South of Taylor because of traffic considerations. In 1957, it was moved to the current location along with four other monuments to those who served in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War II and Korea. It is in a circle of monuments that has now been expanded to include a monument to those who served in Vietnam all the monuments other monuments were moved slightly to preserve the symmetry of the circle of monuments.

The Doughboy’s left hand, along with the rifle and bayonet, fell off in 1993 as a result of the exposure to the elements for 65 years, but they were all replaced.


The inscription on the plaque reads:

SPAULDING COUNTY
DEDICATES THIS MEMORIAL AS A
PERPETUAL EVIDENCE
OF HER GRATITUDE FOR THE
BRAVE, LOYAL AND PATRIOTIC SERVICE
RENDERED BY
HER SONS AND DAUGHTERS
IN
1917 - THE WORLD WAR - 1918

Above from: (visit link)

This monument is in pretty good shape considering it's age. It has been repaired since the inventory and should be good for several years.

TITLE: The Spirit of the American Doughboy ARTIST(S): Viquesney, E. M., 1876-1946, sculptor. DATE: Copyrighted 1920, 1934. MEDIUM: Sculpture: metal; Base: stone CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 47260013 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located near corner of First and Taylor in monument circle in triangular Veterans Memorial Park bounded by First, Taylor and Memorial Drive. The large Stonewall Confederate Cemetery borders the park to the east. DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: Major change since the inventory. The Doughboy’s left hand, along with the rifle and bayonet, fell off in 1993 as a result of the exposure to the elements for 65 years, but they were all replaced sometime after the inventory. It is in place as of the time I visited it 08/17/2008.

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Date Logged Log   08/17/2008 Sprinterman visited it