Spirit of the American Doughboy - Birmingham, Alabama - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Smithsonian Description: "Full-length figure of a uniformed World War I soldier. He holds a hand grenade aloft in his proper right hand and his bayonet in his proper left hand."

As you walk along the south side of Linn Park, along Park Place, and come to the middle of the block, you will find steps leading into the park. On the left pedestal is the World War I monument, Spirit of the American Doughboy. On the right is a Spanish-American War monument. In the middle is a Confederate monument. They are all in good shape except for the problem of the missing plaque. There used to be a plaque telling the story of the dedication of this statue on November 11, 1923. Unfortunately, it was stolen in December 2010 along with other metal objects.

The following information is from: (visit link)

"Birmingham's sculpture sits atop a limestone pedestal at the South entrance of Linn Park, flanking the later Memorial to the Spanish American War. It was dedicated on November 11, 1923.

The memorial was commissioned by the Greek-American Citizens of Birmingham in honor of the American Legion Birmingham Post No. 1. Its plaque is inscribed "In memory of the comrades who gave their lives in the service of our country during the World War. Presented to Birmingham Post No. 1 of the American Legion by the Greek-American Citizens. Birmingham, Alabama. Armistice Day 1923."

The plaque was removed from the statue's base at some time in late 2010, perhaps at the same time that copper thieves destroyed the Birmingham Christmas Tree standing nearby."

TITLE: Spirit of the American Doughboy, (sculpture). ARTIST(S): Viquesney, E. M., 1876-1946, sculptor. DATE: Dedicated Nov. 11, 1923. MEDIUM: Sculpture: bronze; Base: limestone. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS AL000218 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Linn Park Park Place & 20th Street North Birmingham, Alabama 35203 DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: none

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Date Logged Log   08/29/2013 the federation visited it