Sunday, August 23, 2015

South Park Blocks #7: Abraham Lincoln Statue

IMG_2073 Abraham Lincoln by George Fite Waters in Portland, Oregon on February 15, 2010
Abraham Lincoln Statue on February 15, 2010

In the center of the second Park Block, between Madison & Main, is this 10 foot bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln on a granite base.

IMG_2074 Abraham Lincoln by George Fite Waters in Portland, Oregon on February 15, 2010
Abraham Lincoln Statue on February 15, 2010

The statue was sculpted by George Fite Waters in Paris in 1926 and cast by C. Valsuani of Paris. The statue was presented to the city of Portland by Henry Waldo Coe in 1928 and was unveiled on October 5, 1928. This block is now called Lincoln Square.

IMG_2079 Abraham Lincoln by George Fite Waters in Portland, Oregon on February 15, 2010
Abraham Lincoln Statue on February 15, 2010

In 2009, a plaque was placed at the statue acknowledging the Oregon Lincoln Bicentennial Commission's commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The plaque reads as follows:

LINCOLN
BICENTENNIAL
1809-2009

LIVE THE LEGACY

The Oregon Lincoln Bicentennial Commission was established by Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski to mark the national bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12, 2009. This dedicated group of Oregonians - brought together to increase knowledge of Abraham Lincoln in Oregon - held educational town halls throughout Oregon and recreated historic events from Lincoln's presidency. In addition to Lincoln's lasting legacy of ending slavery in the U.S. and preserving the Union, the OLBC emphasized Lincoln's contributions to Oregon - his support for the Homestead Act, establishment of Land Grant Colleges, and launch of the Transcontinental Railroad.

IMG_2083 Abraham Lincoln by George Fite Waters in Portland, Oregon on February 15, 2010
Abraham Lincoln Statue on February 15, 2010

Continue to 8: Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider

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