“You have to accept the fact that sometimes you are the pigeon and sometimes you are the statue.” Quote by Claude Chabrol. And judging from all of the statue photos in these two galleries, the U.S. pigeons have many wonderful places to perch.
“You have to accept the fact that sometimes you are the pigeon and sometimes you are the statue.” Quote by Claude Chabrol. And judging from all of the statue photos in these two galleries, the U.S. pigeons have many wonderful places to perch.
This is one of the eventual 40, life-size painted mountain lions found around Flagstaff, Arizona, a town of about 70,000. The PAWS project is sponsored by the Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth. Each sculpture portrays one of the developmental assets essential to raising a healthy and successful child. For example, this is “Asset #15 – Positive Peer Influence.” A new sculpture is added annually. The mountain lion, also called a puma or panther, is native to Arizona and is typically eight feet and 115 to 160 pounds. The town’s new city buses are called Mountain Line with a cat painted on the side.
6 E Aspen Ave, Heritage Square, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
On November 18, 1993, “Partners” was installed in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The statue celebrated Mickey Mouse’s 65th birthday. It shows a larger-than-life Walt Disney as he looked in 1954 holding hands with a three-foot Mickey. Blaine Gibson created it, along with most of the other iconic sculptures at the park. A similar version of “Partners” was added to Walt Disney World in 1995.
Partners Statue, Main Street U.S.A., Anaheim, CA 92802 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
This marble “Lansdowne Hercules” statue was excavated from the villa retreat of Roman Emperor Hadrian in 1790. This youthful sculpture of Hercules after killing the Greek mythological Nemean lion was carved in 125 A.D. When J. Paul Getty acquired it in 1951, it became one of his favorite pieces among his extensive collection of Roman and Greek antiquities. It is now displayed in a special room called the Temple of Herakles at the Getty Villa.
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The third “Cheemah Monument” was installed in Jack London Square in Oakland, California, in 2002. The artist, Osprey Orielle Lake, wrote, “Cheemah, Mother of Spirit-Fire, is an 18 foot tall bronze monument dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity, world unity and care for the earth.” The goal is to place eight of these statues around the world. Others are already in Hamburg, Germany and Majorca, Spain.
Water St & Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94607 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Located in the Civic Center Park is a moving Holocaust Memorial. These are two of seven bronze sculptures standing on a two-tier Star of David. Each represents a type of victim at the hands of the Nazis. On the left is “A Rabbi.” He prays over some of the bodies of the 11 million people who were killed. On the right is “The Defiant Man.” He is one of the few prisoners who lived to tell about the atrocities. The memorial was erected in 1995 and the sculptor was Dee Clements.
43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In 1929, Lucille Ball started her career in modeling and theater plus a few movie parts. Her universal fame was launched in 1951 when she and her husband Desi Arnaz began filming the half-hour show, “I Love Lucy.” She continued appearing in America’s living rooms in four TV program formats until 1974. This bronze statue of the beloved comedian was created in 1995 by Emmanuil and Janet Snitkovsky. The tribute is located at the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive.
100 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In addition to being California’s capitol city, Sacramento is a virtual outdoor gallery of art, statues, wall murals, fountains and sculptures. An example is the two giant shaking hands called, “Peace” in front of 555 Capitol Mall. The artist, Stephen J. Kaltenbach, also created another sculpture nearby of a large woman’s decapitated head called, “Matter Contemplates Spirit”
555 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814 38 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The courtyard called Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town, San Diego, is surrounded by succulent plants, shops and restaurants plus the lively sound of Mexican guitar music. In late October, as the Day of the Dead holiday approaches, it is also filled with colorful skeleton figures and Dia de los Muertos altars. The event is capped with a traditional procession to the local cemetery.
2754 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Willie Mays started his rookie year in baseball in 1951 wearing a Giants uniform in New York. When the team moved to San Francisco in 1958, he continued to wear number 24 until 1972. At the end of his career, he had hit 660 home runs. This statue by William Behrends of “The Say Hey Kid” was erected in 2000 on Willie Mays Plaza in front of the AT&T Park.
24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
“I See What You Mean” is the name of this 40 foot blue bear peeking through the window into the lobby of the Denver Convention Center in Colorado. After the steel and fiberglass structure by Lawrence Argent was installed in 2005, it quickly became iconic. This unique artwork is guaranteed to make you smile if not outright laugh.
700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
In 2003, Larry Kirkland created this unique, Carrara marble statue. The half face is called, “East 2 West Source Point.” The art is located outside of the Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building in Denver, Colorado. In the center of the two half faces (only one shown) is a golden plumb line. Surrounding it are historical maps of Denver. The sculpture represents the Greek god Janus, whose two faces looked towards the future and past. The month of January was named in his honor.
201 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80202 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In front of the Museum of Art and History in Key West is this enormous sculpture by Seward Johnson titled, “Time for Fun.” The outdoor art features a couple in Victorian clothes during a romantic slow dance. It was inspired by an 1883 painting by Frenchmen Pierre-Auguste Renoir called “Dance in the Country.” The original models were Paul Lhôte and Aline Charigot. The oil painting hangs in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
281 Front St, Key West, FL 33040 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
This arm and hand reaching four stories into the sky is covered with anguished people. They are clinging together in hope of survival. The artwork is a sad and moving tribute to the Jews who suffered and perished during World War II. The bronze sculpture was created by Kenneth Treister. It took him five years to research, design and create the Holocaust Memorial.
1933-1945 Meridian Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Across from the LEGO Imagination Center in Downtown Disney in Orlando, Florida, is the giant green sea serpent named Brickley. His cartoonish, dragon face greets visitors while his long tail curls in and out of Lake Buena Vista three times. He was made in 1997 from 170,000 LEGO bricks and is 30 feet long. In the store are other LEGO masterpieces, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, Thumper and Woody.
1672 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Congress created the National Park Service in 1916. During its first one hundred years, the agency grew to manage 59 parks consisting of 84 million acres of land. In recognition of its centennial anniversary, the NPS sponsored this Ranger Mickey topiary. The sculpture was located in Future World East.
Mission: SPACE, Epcot, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Popeye the Sailor Man was created by Elzie Segar and first appeared in a 1929 comic strip. His fame grew in theatrical cartoon shorts and then comic books and TV cartoons until he became a movie star in 1980 with Robin Wlliams. In 2002, TV Guide rated him the 20th greatest cartoon character of all times. In his spare time, this spinach connoisseur and his friends can be seen at the Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges ride inside Toon Lagoon at Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida.
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, Orlando, FL 32819 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
A Naval aircraft carrier can cost billions and the planes cost millions yet a key link between them is the hand signals from a marshaller. This aircraft carrier marshaller statue stands next to a Navy Gruman F-14 Tomcat supersonic fighter jet called Black Aces outside of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Inside the museum are 150 more aircraft from the Marines, Coast Guard and Navy.
1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
This Carrara marble Medici lion is one of two guarding the entrance to the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida. These carvings by F. Romanelli were a gift from local philanthropist Dr. Andrew Anderson. The bridge has been called “The Most Beautiful Bridge in Dixie.” It is even more beautiful after an $80 million restoration was finished. The male lion with his paw on an orb was patterned after the originals commissioned in 1576 for the Italian garden of Ferdinando I dé Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. The pair from the 16th century is now in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence, Italy.
20 Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, FL 32080 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In 1911, the Tampa chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy purchased this Italian marble sculpture called Memoria in Aeterna which means, “in everlasting remembrance.” It is a tribute to “the patriots of the Confederate States of America.” This south side view shows the “departing soldier” carrying his rifle while walking back home after the war. When Hillsborough County built a courthouse in 1952, this memorial was moved to its current location.
419 Pierce St, Tampa, FL 33602 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
This statue of MLK in front of an American flag stands as a proud tribute to the civil rights leader in the Visitor Center of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta. The image makes me reflect because I am writing this caption on the 50th anniversary of his “I have a dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in front of 250,000 during the March on Washington on August 28, 1963.
450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In front of the Crazy Shirts store on Waterfront Row in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii is this smiling carving of Captain Jack. A plaque nearby tells the story of how he was shipwrecked and rescued by the local merchants. He now basks in the Hawaiian sun on a park bench just below the lookout tower deck and welcomes guests with a hearty “Ahoy Mates!”
75-5774 Ali'i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
This nine foot, bronze statue on Kūhiō Beach honors Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. The Big Kahuna was a four-time Olympic swimmer, the father of modern surfing, an original Waikīkī Beach Boy and the Hawaiian Ambassador of Aloha. This local legend has been inducted into the surfing, swimming and Olympic halls of fame. Visitors to this sculpture by Jan Gordon Fisher typically drape fresh leis on his outstretched arms.
2428 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The bronze statue of Father Joseph Damien De Veuster stands at the entrance of Hawaii’s state capitol in Honolulu. The sculpture celebrates the love, compassion and sacrifice of this Catholic priest from Belgium. He cared for lepers on the island of Moloka’i for 16 years until he died of the disease in 1889. 120 years later, Father Damien was canonized as a saint. He is the patron saint for the Diocese of Honolulu. New York City artist Marisol Escobar created the sculpture in 1969.
415 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96813 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Fans of Hawaii Five-O will immediately recognize this bronze, gilded statue of King Kamehameha from the TV show’s opening credits. The Kingdom of Hawaii’s first monarch stands in front of the Ali’iōlani Hale building. Soon after the sculpture was created by Thomas Gould, it was lost in a shipwreck near the Falkland Islands. Although it was later recovered, the sculptor had already created this second version. The tribute was erected in 1883. The original is in the town of Kapā’au on the Island of Hawaii.
417 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Although the rubber duck has been swimming in bathtubs since the late 1800s, its fame and popularity made a big splash thanks to Sesame Street. This iconic yellow duck with sunglasses is standing under a giant showerhead on the Pride of America. The Norwegian Cruise Line ship makes weekly tours of the Hawaiian Islands. The NCL ship was docked at a pier beside the Aloha Tower Marketplace in Honolulu. In the background is one of the twin One Waterfront Towers. They are high-rise condominiums.
521 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In 1804, long before Chicago was a big city, Fort Dearborn was built on the Chicago River where the Magnificent Mile now begins. On August 15, 1812, the fort was attacked by Potawatomi Indians who killed 86 of the soldiers and their families. This 1928 bas-relief sculpture by Henry Hering is on the south bridge house of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (also called the DuSable Bridge). It shows Ensign George Ronan, from the Army’s 1st infantry regiment, during the battle shortly before he was killed.
362 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
From his first radio broadcast until his retirement in 1981, John Beasley “Jack” Brickhouse was the voice of Chicago sports, including the Cubs, White Sox, three World Series, the Bears, two NFL Championship Games, the Bulls, and even an occasional boxing match. His classic enthusiastic phrases, such as, “Hey Hey!” were forever lost when he died in 1998. He has been inducted into fourteen Halls of Fame. This bronze bust on in Pioneer Court in Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois, is a lasting tribute to a great broadcaster. It was sculpted by Jerry McKenna.
419 N Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Nestled between Soldier Field and the Field Museum in the Chicago Park District is the “Memorial Water Fall.” It is a 128 foot long bronze monument to the veterans of the armed forces and, just as important, to the families of those who served. An example is this detail of a sailor with his wife holding a small child. Beneath this sculpture are the words, “Soldier Field … Dedicated to the defenders of liberty.”
455 E McFetridge Dr., Chicago, IL 60605 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
If there was a 19th century park bench in Springfield, Illinois, chances are good Abe Lincoln sat in it while a resident from 1884 until he became the 16th president in 1861. This life-size, bronze statue of Abe sitting on a hardwood bench and holding his 1865 second inaugural speech was created by Colorado sculptor Mark Lundeen. It was added to Union Square Park in 2006. The Union Station in the background was built in 1898. The historic rail terminal is now part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
500 E Madison St, Springfield, IL 62701 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Lewis “Lew” Wallace was a general and hero during the Civil War. He is also famous for negotiating a potential pardon for Billy the Kid and for writing “Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ” in 1880, the 19th century’s best-selling book. Years later, he had a writing study built at his mansion in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Inside are four busts depicting charters from his novels, including this one of the Prince from “The Prince of India.” The plaster bust was carved by Englishman H.R. Saunders.
General Lew Wallace Study & Museum 200 Wallace Ave, Crawfordsville IN 47933 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
This “Woman with Child” detail is from the 135 foot Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument on the state capitol grounds in Des Moines, Iowa. The tribute is to the 80,000 Iowans who fought in the Civil War infantry, cavalry, artillery and navy. The memorial was completed in 1896 by sculptor Carl Rohl-Smith after the original designer, Harriet Ketcham, died during the project.
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Big Jay was introduced in 1953 as the mascot of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. The bird has a bright yellow beak, a red head and big blue eyes. Tradition requires the character stand 6” 2’ when in costume. Big Jay’s home page lists his residence as Allen Fieldhouse, a.k.a. “The Nest.” This statue called “So many faces, but one heart,” by Joanne Renfro is in the KU Visitors’ Center. His Jayhawks companion, Baby Jay, was hatched during the 1971 homecoming game. The school’s first mascot was Centennial Jay. He only made a brief appearance in 1912 and again on his 100th birthday.
1502 Iowa St, Lawrence, KS 66045 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Sitting in a rocking chair on Beam Hill alongside of his dog named Dot is Booker Noe. He was the sixth generation of the Beam family and a master distiller for more than 40 years. Tours of “America’s Stillhouse” are available in Clermont, Kentucky. Their motto is, “Come as friends, leave as family.” Enjoy sipping their excellent samples next to Booker. The Jim Beam Distillery is a great stop along the Bourbon Trail.
526 Happy Hollow Rd, Clermont, KY 40110 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Secretariat was perhaps the greatest racehorse in history. In 1973, he shattered the records in the Triple Crown: the Preakness Stakes, the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. In that last race, he won by 31 lengths. A tribute to this magnificent horse owned by Penny Chenery is at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The sculpture by Edwin Bogucki shows the legendary thoroughbred with his jockey Ron Turcotte. Standing alongside is his groomer, Eddie Sweat. The statue captures the moment after winning the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in May of 1973. Remarkably, Secretariat ran each of the five quarter miles faster than the previous ones.
4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
At the entrance to Churchill Downs and their museum is this sculpture of Barbaro by Alexa King. This thoroughbred racehorse was undefeated before winning the Kentucky Derby in 2006. However, he shattered his back leg during the Preakness Stakes two weeks later and had to be euthanized. The horse’s remains are beneath this monument.
700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Derek Jeter is synonymous with the New York Yankees. For 20 seasons beginning in 1995, he set records in hits, games played and numerous other accolades. Much of his batting success was achieved while holding a Louisville Slugger bat. He favored Model P72, which is 34 inches long and weighs 32 ounces. This full-size wax figure of the American’s Pastime hitter is at the Louisville Slugger Factory in Louisville, Kentucky. It honors the legend who retired in 2014.
800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Near the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is this statue by Frank Hayden called, “A Tribute to Oliver Pollock.” The sculpture was created for the Baton Rouge Bicentennial celebration in 1976. It is part of a series in Galvez Plaza of Louisiana displaying patriots from the Revolutionary War. Pollock helped finance the Revolution. He is also credited with creating the symbol $ as the U. S. dollar sign in 1778.
100 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The American lobster is known by several names. Most people call it Maine lobster, probably because the state is the largest producer along Atlantic coast. Nearly 6,000 lobstermen make a career from catching this cold water delicacy. It is easy to find a Maine restaurant offering this delicious crustacean. The meat is served in soaps, sandwiches or right from the lobster pot (trap) and into the boiling pot. Wearing a bib is optional. Afterwards, join this statue for a photo op while eating an ice cream cone in Bar Harbor.
66 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Monument Square is a triangular downtown plaza. Since 1891, the centerpiece has been the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. This is a tribute to the Union servicemen from Portland who died during the American Civil War. Atop the granite base is Our Lady of Victories. The 14 foot sculpture by Franklin Simmons holds a sword and shield while wearing a laurel wreath symbolizing triumph. The bronze figure personifies Minerva, the Roman goddess of war and wisdom. At the base are additional statuary representing the Army and Navy.
456 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
On April 14, 1775, Captain John Parker and a group of militias encountered British soldiers in Lexington, Massachusetts. The Redcoats were on their way to neighboring Concord to confiscate rumored weapons. Parker’s partial quote to his men was, “Don’t fire unless fired upon.” The brief Battle of Lexington – the first Revolutionary War skirmish – resulted in the death of eight militia. Parker died a few months later. This statue by Henry Hudson is called, “The Lexington Minuteman.” The bronze is a tribute to Parker and the colonists who armed themselves against the British and the Pequot Indians.
1888 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02421 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
While walking up to the Comerica Tiger Field in Detroit, Michigan, there is no question about the name of the baseball team that plays here: Tiger sculptures are everywhere. This one at the North Gate is 15 feet tall. Several more grace the façade. Atop the left field scoreboard are two tigers whose eyes light up after every home run. The statues were designed by Michael Keropian and built by SlowMotion, Inc.
Witherell St & E Columbia St, Detroit, MI 48201 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
To celebrate the birthplace of Paul Bunyan, sculptor Dean Krotzer created the world’s tallest statue of the famous lumberjack in 1985. If standing, this bearded woodman would be 60 feet tall. This small town in north-central Minnesota is named after Healy C. Akeley. He co-founded the Red River Lumber Company in 1893. His lumber mill was the first to personify the giant of folklore in an advertising campaign by William Laughead starting in 1916.
Broadway St E & Hulet Ave SW Akeley, MN 56433 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In 1970, Mary Richards moved to Minneapolis and became the associate producer for the Six O’clock News. For seven seasons, the opening credits of The Mary Tyler Moore Show froze with the actress throwing her cap in the air. TV Land sponsored this eight foot, bronze statue in 2002 to memorialize the moment. The plaque on Nicollet Mall reads, “Who can turn the world on with a smile?” Sadly, that smile is gone. Mary Tyler Moore died in 2017. Ironically, the sculptor, Gwendolyn Gillen, died two days after the TV star.
S 7th St & Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In 1988, Claes Oldenburg, along with his wife Coosje van Bruggen, created this delightful, oversized sculpture called Spoonbridge and Cherry for the Walker Art Center. The spoon weighs 5,800 pounds and the cherry with the water streaming from it is 1,200 pounds. It is one of 40 outdoor artworks in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
14357 Loring Greenway, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Atop the south portico of the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul is the gilded Quadriga or “The Progress of the State.” The horses represent earth, wind, fire and water. The women represent civilization yet individually they personify industry and agriculture. The man symbolizes prosperity. It was sculpted in 1906 by Daniel Chester French. He is best known for the Abraham Lincoln statue in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C
75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN 55155 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Outside of Jackson, Mississippi’s Central Station, which was built in 1904, is the Fallen Fire Fighters’ Memorial. This bronze statue was dedicated in 2000. It depicts a fireman carrying a young child in his arms while the latter clutches a stuffed toy. At the base are the names of Mississippi firefighters who died while on duty.
E Pearl St & S President St, Jackson, MS 39201 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Branson, Missouri, is a small town of about 11,000 people. Yet countless families converge to the 50+ attractions, theaters, museums, novelty restaurants and rides along “The Strip” (76 Country Boulevard) for wholesome fun. The list of stars that have performed in the “Live Music Capital of the World” reads like a who’s who of entertainers. Speaking of celebrities, check out the wax versions of your favorite stars at the Hollywood Wax Museum. The attraction opened in 1985 with King Kong standing on the iconic Hollywood sign.
3030 MO-76, Branson, MO 65616 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions