Indianapolis … from 330 steps up

Clare & I climbed the 330 steps (to a height of 284' = 86½m) of the “State Soldiers and Sailors Monument,” which, it turns out, is part of the National Park Service!

From the National Park Service page, http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/indianapolis/soldiersandsailors.htm » “The State Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a focal point and symbol of the city, is a remarkable sculptural group and creates a dramatic civic space. The quality of its sculpture, bronze work, and concept is unparalleled in the state. …

“In 1888, the state held an international competition for the monument and selected German architect Bruno Schmitz as the designer. Schmitz had an excellent reputation in Germany but had never worked in the United States. Indiana was accustomed to taking artistic leads from Germans, who seemed to be involved in performing and visual arts in many Hoosier towns. For the winning design, Schmitz offered a remarkable Victorian confection, part Egyptian obelisk, part Romantic-era sculpture, part Neo-Baroque with cascading fountains and theatrical, stage-like groupings. Quarries in Owen County, Indiana provided the limestone. Approximately 285 feet high and encompassing essentially an entire city block, the monument became the largest Civil War memorial. …

“The shaft of the monument was completed in 1892. … The monument was dedicated in 1902. In the 1980s and 90s, the State of Indiana restored the monument including cleaning the stonework and bronze pieces.”

Apparently only Washington, DC has more war memorials than Indianapolis, IN!

Also, http://www.in.gov/iwm/2335.htm » “The Limestone used for the monument is gray oolitic limestone from the Romona quarries of Owen County. It stands 284 feet, 6 inches high, only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. It cost $598,318 in 1902. It has been estimated that building a similar structure today would cost more than five hundred million dollars.”

Forgone post for today: "The Runners Forum" on Delaware Street … right next door to a 24-hour, no-limit *bail bond* business!

1 year ago (“A ‘500-year’ rain…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-08-19
2 years ago (“Circle of Life”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-08-19
3 years ago (“At a great-great-great grandmother’s grave”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-08-19
4 years ago (“Reflections of greens and browns”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-08-19

[ IMG_4736SmS12x8tm :: f/11 (-0.7) :: 1/400" :: ISO-200 :: 18mm ]

19th August 2015 19th Aug 15