City of Savannah: Official News, Events & Community Updates
Spanish-American War Monument Will Return to Forsyth Park Tuesday Morning
SAVANNAH – Tuesday morning, July 15, the City of Savannah’s Park and Tree Department will reinstall the Spanish-American War Monument on the south end of Forsyth Park following damage that occurred after a vehicle accident in January.
Work is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Park Ave. and Bull St. will be impacted by the work. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes and avoid the area if possible.
City staff contracted Landmark Preservation in Savannah and The Inferno Art Foundry in Atlanta, Ga. to restore the bronze monument. L&H Welding repaired the fencing around the monument which will be installed after the monument is secured.
The Spanish-American War Monument, also known as “The Hiker” or “Georgia Volunteer,” was created in 1931 to honor Georgians who volunteered and served their country during the war. Savannah was chosen as the site of the monument because the city contributed more soldiers to the war per capita than any other city in Georgia.
The eight foot, five-inch statue was cast in several pieces representing an idealized American solider in tropical gear. The statue stands on a base of Georgia granite. The statue was designed by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson (1871-1932), an American sculptor of Massachusetts and one of only three female members of the National Sculpture Society. She created the original cast of the statue in 1902. It was cast by Gorham Company in Rhode Island. The base was designed by architect Cletus Bergen.
A plaque identifying William Grayson was added to the west face of the base in 1946 to honor the only southerner who served as commander-in-chief of the United Spanish War Veterans. A plaque honoring Stephen N. Harris was added to the east face of the base as well.
More information
Read the full announcement on the official site
