The Soldiers' Monument (Oregon, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
The Soldiers' Monument
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
Lorado Taft's The Soldier's Monument in Oregon, Illinois.
|
|
| Location | Oregon, Ogle County, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Area | Oregon Commercial Historic District |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Pond and Pond |
| Sculptor | Lorado Taft |
| Part of | Oregon Commercial Historic District (ID06000713) |
| Added to NRHP | August 16, 2006 |
The Soldiers' Monument is a special memorial in Oregon, Illinois. It has three statues made by the famous sculptor Lorado Taft. One statue is made of bronze, and two are made of marble. These statues are placed around a curved bench area called an exedra, which was designed by the architects Pond and Pond.
The monument was finished and opened in 1916. It is part of the Oregon Commercial Historic District. This district is a special area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important place in history.
Contents
Where to Find the Monument
This amazing piece of public art is easy to find in Oregon, Illinois. It's located right off Illinois Route 64. You can see it on the southeast side of the Old Ogle County Courthouse square. It's a great spot to visit and learn about history.
What the Monument Looks Like
Description of the Statues
When you first see the monument, your eyes will go to the white marble stairs. These stairs lead up to the main part of the memorial. At the top of the stairs, there is a very large female figure. She is a Classical style statue, meaning she looks like ancient Greek or Roman art. She stands with her arms reaching out. In each hand, she holds a laurel wreath, which is a symbol of victory and honor.
Behind this main statue is the exedra. This is a curved, outdoor seating area with benches. The architects Pond and Pond designed this part. The exedra wraps around the monument. On either side of the female statue, there are built-in benches where you can sit.
Above these benches, you will see bronze plaques. These plaques honor soldiers who fought in the Civil War and the Spanish–American War. Above these war plaques, there is more bronze that says, "Ogle County Honors Her Sons." This shows that the monument is dedicated to all the brave soldiers from Ogle County.
On either side of the main female statue, there are two soldier statues. They stand on tall bases. One soldier faces north, and the other faces south. Lorado Taft made these soldiers from marble that came from the state of Georgia in the U.S.
The Soldiers' Monument was built in 1916. The Ogle County Board approved its construction, and it cost about $21,000 back then. Today, this artwork by Lorado Taft is worth a lot more. In 2007, it was estimated to be worth over $1,000,000! This shows how important and valuable this historical monument is.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a los soldados (Oregón) para niños
