Augustus Pollack Monument, (sculpture).

Augustus Pollack Monument, (sculpture).

Asbjornsen, Sigvald, 1867-1954, sculptor.

Faris, Fred F., architect.

Edward C. Kreutzer (Firm), contractor.

Augustus Pollack Monument, (sculpture).

Pollack Memorial Monument, (sculpture).

Dedicated May 28, 1916. Relocated 1956.

Digital Reference:

Granite on granite base.

Overall: approx. H. 37 ft.; Column: approx. H. 26 ft.; Figures: approx. 5 ft. x 3 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft. 4 in.; Base: approx. 11 ft. x 15 ft. x 11 ft. 10 1/2 in.

(On scroll, raised letters:) ERECTED BY/TRADE UNION MEMBERS/OF UNITED STATES/IN MEMORY OF/AUGUSTUS POLLACK/WHOSE BUSINESS/LIFE AND ACTIONS/WERE ALWAYS/IN SYMPATHY WITH/ORGANIZED LABOR.

A monument with a massive fluted Corinthian column topped by an eagle with wings spread, sitting on a ball. At the base of the column are two full-length standing male figures, shaking hands. They are dressed in shirts with rolled up sleeves and baggy trousers. Between the two figures is a scroll with an inscription.

Occupation -- Industry -- Manufacturing

Portrait male -- Pollack, Augustus

Figure group -- Male

Animal -- Bird -- Eagle

Object -- Written Matter -- Scroll

Outdoor Sculpture -- West Virginia -- Wheeling

Administered by City of Wheeling, Wheeling, West Virginia

Located East entrance to I-70, 75 feet from Ft. Henry Bridge, Wheeling, West Virginia

Formerly located Old County Courthouse, County Courthouse Square, Chapline & 15th Streets, Wheeling, West Virginia

The monument commemorates Augustus Pollack. Born in Germany in 1830, Pollack immigrated to Baltimore in 1849, and moved to West Virginia in 1854. After the Civil War, he founded the Cigar and Tobacco Factory and the Crown Stogie Company in East Wheeling. Pollack was one of the city's leading businessmen and civic leaders, and was especially active in affairs of the communities' large German speaking population. He was known as a model employer and was a friend of organized labor, often called upon to settle disputes. In his will, he bequested scholarship funds to support a student from the "industrial" population. He died in April 1906.

The idea for the monument originated shortly after his death, and a memorial committee was formed in June 1906. The Committee collected funds from 6 international unions, 750 locals, and over 3,000 individuals. Total cost of the monument was $8,433. The monument was designed by Asbjornsen and Faris; built by the firm of Edward C. Kreutzer. Originally sited on the old Ohio City Courthouse grounds, the monument was moved in 1956, when the Courthouse was razed to make way for the new city-county building.

IAS files contain related articles from Wheeling Intelligencer (Wheeling, WV) May 29, 1916; April 24, 1906; and April 26, 1906; and the Wheeling News Register (Wheeling, WV), April 24, 1906 and May 28, 1906. IAS files also contain copy of Javersak, David T., "The Pollack Memorial Monument," Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review (Spring-Summer 1978): pg. 17-20. Also cited: Wheeling News Register (Wheeling, WV), Feb. 12, 1956.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, West Virginia survey, 1992.

Javersak, David T., "The Pollack Memorial Monument," Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review (Spring-Summer 1978): pg. 17-20.

Wheeling News Register (Wheeling, WV), May 28, 1906.

Wheeling Intelligencer (Wheeling, WV), May 29, 1916.

Wheeling Intelligencer (Wheeling, WV), May 29, 1916.

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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