When Blasterz visited Crowell TX in 2011, we took this photo of the two Viquesney statues, both of which had lost an arm.
These statues stand on the northwest corner of the Foard County courthouse in downtown Crowell TX. We verified them as genuine Viquesneys here: (
visit link)
"CROWELL, TEXAS
N 33° 59.0468 / W 99° 43.4938
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Numbers: 47260107, TX000457.
On northwest corner of Foard County Courthouse Lawn (the town square) at the intersection of Texas Highway 6 and U. S. Highway 70 (Main at Commerce). There are no plaques, inscriptions or engravings other than the maker's marks.
The Doughboy and Sailor were dedicated November 11, 1932. The photo at left was probably taken around that time.
Crowell's is the only “Spirit of the American Navy” known to be of stone.
Gordon J. Ford Post No. 130, American Legion and Auxiliary, secured the two sculptures.
For many years the Doughboy’s left arm and rifle were missing from the elbow, probably as a result of vandalism or exposure to the elements for so long, and the sailor’s right hand and round cap it held were ripped away as a result of a 1942 tornado. Both statues have since been repaired as of May 1, 2015.
The German cannon behind the statues was captured by the 36th Division in the fall of 1918 and was operational when it was brought to Crowell through the efforts of the American Legion Post. It was dedicated November 11, 1929.
Update May 1, 2015: Thanks to Crowell residents Paula D. Moore for the repair update, and George Kendall Allen for the new photo at the top of the page.
Below: What the statues used to look like. For decades, the figures and bases were neglected."
Blasterz (Navy Persian Gulf veterans) appreciate the good folks of Foard County for buying the American Navy statue too -- these statues were placed in 1932, when the folks here had little money and hard times.
We also salute the private citizens who cared enough to raise awareness and make the repairs to these monuments happen.