Juneau Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Juneau Monument |
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| Artist | Richard Henry Park |
| Year | 1887 |
| Type | Bronze |
| Dimensions | 460 cm × 150 cm (180 in × 60 in) |
| Location | Juneau Park, Milwaukee |
| 43°2′34.097″N 87°53′53.766″W / 43.04280472°N 87.89826833°W | |
The Juneau Monument is a special statue located in Juneau Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was created by an American artist named Richard Henry Park. The monument honors Solomon Juneau, who was very important to Milwaukee's history.
The statue itself is made of bronze and stands on a limestone base. This impressive monument is about 15 feet tall and 5 feet wide.
What the Juneau Monument Looks Like
The front of the statue's base clearly shows the name "Solomon Juneau." On the back, it says the monument was a gift to Milwaukee. This gift came from Charles T. Bradley and William H. Metcalf.
On the north side of the base, there is a bronze picture. It shows Juneau being welcomed by Native Americans. Below this picture, it says, "Solomon Juneau, First Mayor of Milwaukee, MDCCCXXXXVI."
On the south side, another bronze picture shows Juneau being elected to Congress. This side also has the same inscription below it. Solomon Juneau's granddaughter, Hattie White, officially showed the sculpture to the public on July 6, 1887.
The Story Behind the Monument
Solomon Juneau was born in a small village near Montreal, Lower Canada, on August 9, 1793. He was a French Canadian trader who worked for the American Fur Company.
In 1818, the American Fur Company opened a trading post in Milwaukee. Juneau decided to buy land between the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan. He named this area Juneau Town.
Juneau became the postmaster and the first president of the Village of Milwaukee. In 1846, he was elected as the very first mayor of the City of Milwaukee.
Juneau passed away in 1856 while working for the U.S. Government. He was making a payment to Native Americans at a reservation in Keshena.
The monument was a gift from Charles T. Bradley and William H. Metcalf. They were shoe manufacturers and friends of the Juneau family. They donated the statue to remember Milwaukee's first mayor.
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