RISING ABOVE THE WOODED BLUFF OF
THE ROCK RIVER VALLEY STANDS ONE
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND BEST
THE ROCK RIVER VALLEY STANDS ONE
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND BEST
KNOWN WORKS OF LOREDO TAFT.
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND BEST
KNOWN WORKS OF LOREDO TAFT.
TODAY THE STATUE IS THE CENTER
KNOWN WORKS OF LOREDO TAFT.
TODAY THE STATUE IS THE CENTER
PIECE OF LADEN STATE PARK.
TODAY THE STATUE IS THE CENTER
PIECE OF LADEN STATE PARK.
BACK IN ~L 1800'S BEFORE THE
PIECE OF LADEN STATE PARK.
BACK IN ~L 1800'S BEFORE THE
STATUE'S CREATION, LAND ALONG
BACK IN ~L 1800'S BEFORE THE
STATUE'S CREATION, LAND ALONG
THE EAGLE COLONY, TAFT WAS A
STATUE'S CREATION, LAND ALONG
THE EAGLE COLONY, TAFT WAS A
MEMBER.
THE EAGLE COLONY, TAFT WAS A
MEMBER.
>>ONE EVENING THEY WERE STANDING
MEMBER.
>>ONE EVENING THEY WERE STANDING
ON BLUFF, OVER LOOKING, THEY
>>ONE EVENING THEY WERE STANDING
ON BLUFF, OVER LOOKING, THEY
WERE STANDING THERE WITH THEIR
ON BLUFF, OVER LOOKING, THEY
WERE STANDING THERE WITH THEIR
ARMS CROSSED, AND THAT'S WHERE
WERE STANDING THERE WITH THEIR
ARMS CROSSED, AND THAT'S WHERE
THE CONCEPT OF THE ETERNAL
ARMS CROSSED, AND THAT'S WHERE
THE CONCEPT OF THE ETERNAL
INDIAN WAS -- CAME ABOUT. AT
THE CONCEPT OF THE ETERNAL
INDIAN WAS -- CAME ABOUT. AT
THAT POINT, TAFT STARTED WORKING
INDIAN WAS -- CAME ABOUT. AT
THAT POINT, TAFT STARTED WORKING
ON A SMALL MODEL IN HIS STUDIO
THAT POINT, TAFT STARTED WORKING
ON A SMALL MODEL IN HIS STUDIO
WITH A YOUNG SCULPTOR NAMED JOHN
ON A SMALL MODEL IN HIS STUDIO
WITH A YOUNG SCULPTOR NAMED JOHN
PRESION.
WITH A YOUNG SCULPTOR NAMED JOHN
PRESION.
HE WAS EXCELLENT CHOICE SINCE
PRESION.
HE WAS EXCELLENT CHOICE SINCE
TAFT WASN'T IN THE MEDIAN WORLD,
HE WAS EXCELLENT CHOICE SINCE
TAFT WASN'T IN THE MEDIAN WORLD,
WHICH WAS CONCRETE.
TAFT WASN'T IN THE MEDIAN WORLD,
WHICH WAS CONCRETE.
PRESHOIN WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE
WHICH WAS CONCRETE.
PRESHOIN WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE
PROPERTY OF CONCRETE.
PRESHOIN WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE
PROPERTY OF CONCRETE.
TAFT LEFT HIM IN CHARGE OF THE
PROPERTY OF CONCRETE.
TAFT LEFT HIM IN CHARGE OF THE
PROJECT.
TAFT LEFT HIM IN CHARGE OF THE
PROJECT.
FOR THAT ERA, CREATION OF THIS
PROJECT.
FOR THAT ERA, CREATION OF THIS
STATUE WAS A MASTER PIECE OF
FOR THAT ERA, CREATION OF THIS
STATUE WAS A MASTER PIECE OF
ENGINEERING AND ARTISTRY WHICH
STATUE WAS A MASTER PIECE OF
ENGINEERING AND ARTISTRY WHICH
WOULD BE WRITTEN ABOUT IN
ENGINEERING AND ARTISTRY WHICH
WOULD BE WRITTEN ABOUT IN
SEVERAL RENOWNED PUBLICATIONS.
WOULD BE WRITTEN ABOUT IN
SEVERAL RENOWNED PUBLICATIONS.
NEXT STEP IN CREATING THE STATUE
SEVERAL RENOWNED PUBLICATIONS.
NEXT STEP IN CREATING THE STATUE
WAS TO ERECT A LIFE SIZE MOLD
NEXT STEP IN CREATING THE STATUE
WAS TO ERECT A LIFE SIZE MOLD
INTO WHICH THE CONCRETE WOULD BE
WAS TO ERECT A LIFE SIZE MOLD
INTO WHICH THE CONCRETE WOULD BE
POURED.
INTO WHICH THE CONCRETE WOULD BE
POURED.
>>THE FRAMEWORK WAS CONSTRUCTED
POURED.
>>THE FRAMEWORK WAS CONSTRUCTED
USING LARGE TIMBERS FROM THE
>>THE FRAMEWORK WAS CONSTRUCTED
USING LARGE TIMBERS FROM THE
OVER ALL HEIGHT AND SHAPE OF THE
USING LARGE TIMBERS FROM THE
OVER ALL HEIGHT AND SHAPE OF THE
WOODEN FRAME WAS COVERED WITH
OVER ALL HEIGHT AND SHAPE OF THE
WOODEN FRAME WAS COVERED WITH
CHICKEN WIRE, SOME BURLAP AND
WOODEN FRAME WAS COVERED WITH
CHICKEN WIRE, SOME BURLAP AND
PLASTER OF PARIS.
CHICKEN WIRE, SOME BURLAP AND
PLASTER OF PARIS.
BY DECEMBER OF 1910, THE MOLD
PLASTER OF PARIS.
BY DECEMBER OF 1910, THE MOLD
WAS READY, AND THE POURING OF
BY DECEMBER OF 1910, THE MOLD
WAS READY, AND THE POURING OF
CONCRETE BEGAN.
WAS READY, AND THE POURING OF
CONCRETE BEGAN.
IT WAS AN OPERATION COMPLETED BY
CONCRETE BEGAN.
IT WAS AN OPERATION COMPLETED BY
WORKING 24 HOURS A DAY, OVER TEN
IT WAS AN OPERATION COMPLETED BY
WORKING 24 HOURS A DAY, OVER TEN
DAYS WHILE ENDURING FREEZING
WORKING 24 HOURS A DAY, OVER TEN
DAYS WHILE ENDURING FREEZING
TEMPERATURES.
DAYS WHILE ENDURING FREEZING
TEMPERATURES.
>> 65,000 GALLONS OF WATER WERE
TEMPERATURES.
>> 65,000 GALLONS OF WATER WERE
PUMPED TO THE SITE FROM THE
>> 65,000 GALLONS OF WATER WERE
PUMPED TO THE SITE FROM THE
RIVER BELOW AND WAS USED TO
PUMPED TO THE SITE FROM THE
RIVER BELOW AND WAS USED TO
MAINTAIN TWO STEAM ENGINES AND
RIVER BELOW AND WAS USED TO
MAINTAIN TWO STEAM ENGINES AND
ALSO FOR THE MAKING OF THE
MAINTAIN TWO STEAM ENGINES AND
ALSO FOR THE MAKING OF THE
CEMENT.
ALSO FOR THE MAKING OF THE
CEMENT.
>> IT WAS ALSO A 5,000-GALLON
CEMENT.
>> IT WAS ALSO A 5,000-GALLON
TANK PLUS BOILERS TO HEAT THE
>> IT WAS ALSO A 5,000-GALLON
TANK PLUS BOILERS TO HEAT THE
WATER.
TANK PLUS BOILERS TO HEAT THE
WATER.
IN THE END, 238 YARDS OF
WATER.
IN THE END, 238 YARDS OF
CONCRETE WAS USED, ALONG WITH
IN THE END, 238 YARDS OF
CONCRETE WAS USED, ALONG WITH
38, ONE INCH STEEL REINFORCING
CONCRETE WAS USED, ALONG WITH
38, ONE INCH STEEL REINFORCING
BARS PLUS 20 TONS OF PINK
38, ONE INCH STEEL REINFORCING
BARS PLUS 20 TONS OF PINK
GRANITE CHIPS TO GIFT FINISHED
BARS PLUS 20 TONS OF PINK
GRANITE CHIPS TO GIFT FINISHED
STATUE AN ADDED LUSTER.
GRANITE CHIPS TO GIFT FINISHED
STATUE AN ADDED LUSTER.
>>270 TONS WITH THE HEAD ALONE
STATUE AN ADDED LUSTER.
>>270 TONS WITH THE HEAD ALONE
TOPPING THE SCALES AT 30 TONS.
>>270 TONS WITH THE HEAD ALONE
TOPPING THE SCALES AT 30 TONS.
THE STATUE STANDS 448 FEET, FOUR
TOPPING THE SCALES AT 30 TONS.
THE STATUE STANDS 448 FEET, FOUR
INCH TALL AND SITS ATOP 14-FOOT,
THE STATUE STANDS 448 FEET, FOUR
INCH TALL AND SITS ATOP 14-FOOT,
8-INCH PEDESTAL ONLY WHICH FIVE
INCH TALL AND SITS ATOP 14-FOOT,
8-INCH PEDESTAL ONLY WHICH FIVE
IS EXPOSED.
8-INCH PEDESTAL ONLY WHICH FIVE
IS EXPOSED.
HEAD WAS POURED SEPARATELY, AND
IS EXPOSED.
HEAD WAS POURED SEPARATELY, AND
HOISTED BY A DERICK AND PUT IN
HEAD WAS POURED SEPARATELY, AND
HOISTED BY A DERICK AND PUT IN
PLACE.
HOISTED BY A DERICK AND PUT IN
PLACE.
THE POURING OPERATION WAS
PLACE.
THE POURING OPERATION WAS
COMPLETED ON DECEMBER 20, 1910,
THE POURING OPERATION WAS
COMPLETED ON DECEMBER 20, 1910,
AND THE STATUE WAS LEFT TO CURE
COMPLETED ON DECEMBER 20, 1910,
AND THE STATUE WAS LEFT TO CURE
UNTIL SPRING.
AND THE STATUE WAS LEFT TO CURE
UNTIL SPRING.
THEN IN WARMER WEATHER, WORKERS
UNTIL SPRING.
THEN IN WARMER WEATHER, WORKERS
BEGAN TO CHIP AWAY THE MOLD AND
THEN IN WARMER WEATHER, WORKERS
BEGAN TO CHIP AWAY THE MOLD AND
UNCOVER THE FINISHED PIECE.
BEGAN TO CHIP AWAY THE MOLD AND
UNCOVER THE FINISHED PIECE.
IT WAS A COLOSSAL SUCCESS AND
UNCOVER THE FINISHED PIECE.
IT WAS A COLOSSAL SUCCESS AND
HAS REMAINED PART OF THE
IT WAS A COLOSSAL SUCCESS AND
HAS REMAINED PART OF THE
LANDSCAPE OVER A HUNDRED YEARS.
HAS REMAINED PART OF THE
LANDSCAPE OVER A HUNDRED YEARS.
IT IS NOW BELIEVED TO BE THE
LANDSCAPE OVER A HUNDRED YEARS.
IT IS NOW BELIEVED TO BE THE
SECOND TALLEST MONOLITHIC STATUE
IT IS NOW BELIEVED TO BE THE
SECOND TALLEST MONOLITHIC STATUE
IN THE WORLD, AND MISTAKENLY
SECOND TALLEST MONOLITHIC STATUE
IN THE WORLD, AND MISTAKENLY
NAMED.
IN THE WORLD, AND MISTAKENLY
NAMED.
THROUGHOUT THE DECADES, VISITORS
NAMED.
THROUGHOUT THE DECADES, VISITORS
HAVE REFERRED TO THE STATUE AS
THROUGHOUT THE DECADES, VISITORS
HAVE REFERRED TO THE STATUE AS
BLACKHAWK, BUT IN REALITY, TAFT
HAVE REFERRED TO THE STATUE AS
BLACKHAWK, BUT IN REALITY, TAFT
NEVER TITLED THIS PIECE.
BLACKHAWK, BUT IN REALITY, TAFT
NEVER TITLED THIS PIECE.
HE LATER SAID HE HAD STUDIED
NEVER TITLED THIS PIECE.
HE LATER SAID HE HAD STUDIED
SEVERAL TRIBES WHILE COMPOSING
HE LATER SAID HE HAD STUDIED
SEVERAL TRIBES WHILE COMPOSING
THIS STATUE, AND IT WAS A
SEVERAL TRIBES WHILE COMPOSING
THIS STATUE, AND IT WAS A
COMPOSITE OF ALL THE TRIBES.
THIS STATUE, AND IT WAS A
COMPOSITE OF ALL THE TRIBES.
GENERATIONS HAVE COME TO VIEW
COMPOSITE OF ALL THE TRIBES.
GENERATIONS HAVE COME TO VIEW
THIS WORK WHICH, AFTER HUNDREDS
GENERATIONS HAVE COME TO VIEW
THIS WORK WHICH, AFTER HUNDREDS
OF YEARS, IS SHOWING SIGNS OF
THIS WORK WHICH, AFTER HUNDREDS
OF YEARS, IS SHOWING SIGNS OF
ITS AGE.
OF YEARS, IS SHOWING SIGNS OF
ITS AGE.
>>IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT
ITS AGE.
>>IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT
SCULPTOR OR STATUE, CAN YOU SEE
>>IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT
SCULPTOR OR STATUE, CAN YOU SEE
THE ARMS ARE BAD, THE AREAS ARE
SCULPTOR OR STATUE, CAN YOU SEE
THE ARMS ARE BAD, THE AREAS ARE
START TO GO DISINTEGRATE.
THE ARMS ARE BAD, THE AREAS ARE
START TO GO DISINTEGRATE.
THE MAIN BOYD OF THE STATUE IS
START TO GO DISINTEGRATE.
THE MAIN BOYD OF THE STATUE IS
IN VERY GOOD CONDITION.
THE MAIN BOYD OF THE STATUE IS
IN VERY GOOD CONDITION.
THERE ARE HAIRLINE CRACKS ON THE
IN VERY GOOD CONDITION.
THERE ARE HAIRLINE CRACKS ON THE
HEAD.  WE HAD A STUDY DONE ABOUT
THERE ARE HAIRLINE CRACKS ON THE
HEAD.  WE HAD A STUDY DONE ABOUT
TWO YEARS AGO TO HAVE THE -- GET
HEAD.  WE HAD A STUDY DONE ABOUT
TWO YEARS AGO TO HAVE THE -- GET
AN ESTIMATE WHAT IT WOULD COST
TWO YEARS AGO TO HAVE THE -- GET
AN ESTIMATE WHAT IT WOULD COST
TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE.
AN ESTIMATE WHAT IT WOULD COST
TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE.
AT THAT POINT AND TIME, THE
TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE.
AT THAT POINT AND TIME, THE
REPAIR COST WAS 400 TO $450,000.
AT THAT POINT AND TIME, THE
REPAIR COST WAS 400 TO $450,000.
>> RECENT LIT STATUE WAS ADDED
REPAIR COST WAS 400 TO $450,000.
>> RECENT LIT STATUE WAS ADDED
TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF
>> RECENT LIT STATUE WAS ADDED
TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF
HISTORIC PLACES, AND EFFORTS ARE
TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF
HISTORIC PLACES, AND EFFORTS ARE
UNDERWAY TO GATHER THE FUNDS
HISTORIC PLACES, AND EFFORTS ARE
UNDERWAY TO GATHER THE FUNDS
NECESSARY TO ENSURE ITS
UNDERWAY TO GATHER THE FUNDS
NECESSARY TO ENSURE ITS
SURVIVAL.
NECESSARY TO ENSURE ITS
SURVIVAL.
TODAY THE WORK OF BOTH TAFT AND
SURVIVAL.
TODAY THE WORK OF BOTH TAFT AND
PRESHION STANDS TO TRIBUTE TO
TODAY THE WORK OF BOTH TAFT AND
PRESHION STANDS TO TRIBUTE TO
TWO PAST ENTITIES.
PRESHION STANDS TO TRIBUTE TO
TWO PAST ENTITIES.
IT IS A MAJESTIC REMINDER OF
TWO PAST ENTITIES.
IT IS A MAJESTIC REMINDER OF
THOSE WHO PRECEDED EUROPEANS AND
IT IS A MAJESTIC REMINDER OF
THOSE WHO PRECEDED EUROPEANS AND
FIRST GAZED ON THE RIVER VALLEY
THOSE WHO PRECEDED EUROPEANS AND
FIRST GAZED ON THE RIVER VALLEY
IT IS THE ONLY PERMANENT MARKER
FIRST GAZED ON THE RIVER VALLEY
IT IS THE ONLY PERMANENT MARKER
OF ART COLONY THAT ONCE THRIVED
IT IS THE ONLY PERMANENT MARKER
OF ART COLONY THAT ONCE THRIVED
ON THESE BLUFFS.
TO CONTACT LOWDEN STATE PARK
(815) 732-6828
