John R. Monaghan Monument, (sculpture).

John R. Monaghan Monument, (sculpture).

Asbjornsen, Sigvald, 1867-1954, sculptor.

American Bronze Company, founder.

Washington Monumental Company, fabricator.

John R. Monaghan Monument, (sculpture).

Commemorative of John Robert Monaghan, (sculpture).

Death of Monaghan, (sculpture).

Ensign John R. Monaghan Monument, (sculpture).

Monaghan Statue, (sculpture).

Commissioned 1906. Dedicated Oct. 25, 1906. Relocated 1967.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: limestone.

Sculpture: approx. 8 x 4 x 4 ft.; Base: approx. 11 x 8 x 8 ft.

(Bottom right corner of relief:) S. Asbjornsen Sculptor (Bottom left corner of relief:) Casting American Bronze Foundry Co. Chicago (Bottom middle) Death of Monaghan signed Founder's mark appears.

Full-length figure of Ensign John Robert Monaghan in his Naval Academy dress uniform, leaning on his sword, right foot extended. The bronze figure stands atop a stepped limestone base that features a relief depicting Ensign Monaghan standing by his wounded superior officer, Lieutenant Landsdale, and other dead soldiers, while under attack by Samoan forces.

History -- United States -- Spanish American War

Portrait male -- Monaghan, John Robert -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Ensign

Portrait male -- Landsdale, Philip V.

Occupation -- Military -- Lieutenant

Landscape -- Samoa

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- Washington -- Spokane

Located Intersection of Monroe & Riverside Streets, Spokane, Washington

Ensign John Robert Monaghan was a Spokane native who lost his life in the Spanish American War, refusing to abandon his wounded superior officer, Lieutenant Landsdale, during an ambush by island tribesmen in Samoa in 1899. He was the first graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy from the state of Washington. The sculpture was commissioned by his family. The inscription on a nearby plaque reads: Erected A.D. 1906 by the citizens of his native state. Commemorative of John Robert Monaghan, Ensign United States Navy, Born Chewelah, Washington March 26th, 1873. Graduated Annapolis, June, 1895. Slain near Apia, Samoa, April 1st, 1899. During the retreat of the allied forces from the deadly fire and overwhelming number of the savage foe, he alone stood the fearful onslaught and sacrificed his life defending a wounded comrade, Lieutenant Philip V. Landsdale, United States Navy.

The cost of the monument was $6,000, which includes $4,000 for the bronze figure. The Washington Monumental Company was contracted for the pedestal. In 1967 the monument was moved 30 feet due to road construction. IAS files contain related articles from the Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), Jan. 6, 1906, Oct. 20 and 31 1967, and Nov. 4, 1967.

Monumental News, Nov. 1905, pg. 748.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, WA2004, 1989.

Heitmann, Helen M., 1989, 1993.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Washington survey, 1994.

SOS Assessment Award, 1999.

Inventory staff, 2000.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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