The Hiker, (sculpture).

The Hiker, (sculpture).

Kitson, Theo Alice Ruggles, 1871-1932, sculptor.

Gorham Manufacturing Company, founder.

The Hiker, (sculpture).

United Spanish War Memorial Monument, (sculpture).

Dedicated Oct. 30, 1938.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: pink granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 8 1/2 ft. x D. 4 ft. 6 in.; Base: approx. H. 8 1/2 ft.

(On side of base:) THE A. KITSON (On bronze plaque on front of base, raised letters:) ERECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF/FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS IN MEMORY OF/HER SONS, WHO ON LAND AND SEA SERVED/THEIR COUNTRY IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN/THE INSURRECTION IN THE PHILIPPINES/AND THE CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION/1898 - 1902/DEDICATED OCTOBER 30, 1938/BY JOHN J. DORAN CAMP No. 47 UNITED SPANISH WAR VETERANS/HUGH H. COMMANDER (On bronze plaque on side of base:) Cuba, Philippines, Puerto Rico, USA signed

A figure of a Spanish-American War soldier stands dressed in a military uniform that consists of a wide brimmed hat, partially unbuttoned shirt with rolled up sleeves, and calf-length boots. The figure holds a rifle horizontally in front of him at waist level. The sculpture is placed atop a two-tiered base. On the side of the base is a cross-shaped plaque. In the center of the plaque are the figures of a soldier and sailor each with a gun. Kneeling between the male figures is a female figure dressed in flowing garments and in the background is a battleship, possibly the U.S.S. Maine.

History -- United States -- Spanish American War

History -- United States -- Philippine Insurrection

History -- United States -- China Relief Expedition

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- Massachusetts -- Fall River

Administered by City of Fall River, Community Development Agency, 162 North Main Street, Fall River, Massachusetts 02722

Located Junction of Plymouth & Pleasant Streets, Fall River, Massachusetts

The sculpture was commissioned by the National Association of Spanish War Veterans at a cost of $6,500. The base that the sculpture is placed upon was a column from the old Post Office. The sculpture was erected by the citizens of Fall River, Massachusetts in memory of the veterans who served in the Spanish-American War, Philippines insurrection, and the China Relief Expedition and to commemorate sinking of the battleship Maine on Feb. 15, 1898.

IAS files contain related articles from the Fall River Herald News, Feb. 15, 1951; and Feb. 15, 1956; a dedication announcement from The Fall River Historical Society; a Massachusetts History Commission Monuments survey form and copies of related town records and correspondence pertaining to the commission of the sculpture and acquisition of the park land. For further reading see: Fall River Historical News, Oct. 31, 1938; Phillip's history of Fall River, vol. III, pg. 140-141; and Records of the City Council, 1936 and 1938.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Massachusetts survey, 1995.

Fall River Herald News, Feb. 15, 1956.

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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