Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider |
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The sculpture in 2016
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| Artist | Alexander Phimister Proctor |
| Year | 1922 |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Dimensions | 3.7 m × 0.91 m × 2.7 m (12 ft × 3 ft × 9 ft) |
| Condition | "Treatment needed" (1993) |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| 45°30′58″N 122°40′58″W / 45.516030°N 122.682854°W | |
Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider is a large bronze sculpture located in Portland, Oregon. It was created by American artist Alexander Phimister Proctor. This equestrian statue (meaning a statue of a person on horseback) was finished in 1922. It shows Theodore Roosevelt, who was a former President of the United States. The statue pictures him as the leader of a special cavalry (horse-riding soldiers) group called the Rough Riders. This group bravely fought during the Spanish–American War.
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Exploring the Roosevelt Sculpture
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The Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider statue was designed by the famous American sculptor Alexander Phimister Proctor (1860–1950). This impressive bronze sculpture shows Theodore Roosevelt as the strong leader of the Rough Riders. This was a cavalry regiment that played a big part in the Spanish–American War.
What the Statue Represents
The sculpture was made to show Roosevelt as a symbol of American strength and success. It also connects him to the idea of the "Wild West." The artists wanted to show his determination. The statue stands in Portland's South Park Blocks. You can find it along Southwest Park Avenue, between Southwest Jefferson and Madison Streets.
Size and Location of the Artwork
The statue itself is quite large. It measures about 12 feet (3.7 meters) tall, 3 feet (0.9 meters) wide, and 9 feet (2.7 meters) long. It sits on a base that is about 7 feet 8 inches (2.3 meters) long, 6 feet (1.8 meters) high, and 1 foot 6 inches (0.46 meters) wide.
The Story Behind the Sculpture
The idea for this memorial came after Theodore Roosevelt passed away. The sculpture was finished in 1922. It was cast (shaped) in Brooklyn, New York. To get it to Portland, it was shipped by sea through the Panama Canal. This was done so the large artwork would not need to be cut into pieces.
Who Donated the Statue?
A friend of Roosevelt's, Henry Waldo Coe, gave the statue to the City of Portland. Coe and Roosevelt had been hunting partners. A very important person, Calvin Coolidge, who was then the Vice President of the United States, was there when the statue was officially revealed to the public.
Recent Events Affecting the Statue
In April 1993, experts from the Smithsonian Institution looked at the statue. They said it needed some care and repair. Later, in October 2020, the statue was damaged during an event. Another nearby statue, one of Abraham Lincoln, was also affected at that time.
