''California Volunteers'', also known as the ''California Volunteers' Memorial'' and the ''Spanish–American War Memorial'', is an outdoor sculpture installed in 1906 by

Douglas Tilden Douglas Tilden (May 1, 1860 – August 5, 1935) was an American sculpture, sculptor. He was deafness, deaf from a bout of scarlet fever at the age of four and attended the California School for the Deaf, Fremont, California School for the Deaf i ...

History

''California Volunteers'' was originally installed at the intersection of Market and Van Ness, per the request of the sponsoring committee of citizens and the sculptor. The monument cost $25,000. Funding for the monument came from surplus donations for a reception held for the volunteers from California upon their return from the Philippines. The monument was dedicated on Sunday, August 12, 1906. During the ceremony, several dignitaries gave speeches, including former San Francisco Mayor Phelan; current Mayor Schmitz; California Governor Pardee; and General James F. Smith,

Governor-General of the Philippines The governor-general of the Philippines (; ; ) was the title of the Executive (government), government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, first by History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the Spanish in Mexico City and l ...

. In 1925, it was moved to its present location at the corner of Market and Dolores Street.

Design

The central figure depicts Bellona, goddess of war, riding on the back of

Pegasus Pegasus (; ) is a winged horse in Greek mythology, usually depicted as a white stallion. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. Pegasus was the brother of Chrysaor, both born from Medusa's blood w ...

, the winged horse. (The 1906 ''San Francisco Call'' article reporting from the dedication ceremony describes the riding figure as

Victory The term victory (from ) originally applied to warfare, and denotes success achieved in personal duel, combat, after military operations in general or, by extension, in any competition. Success in a military campaign constitutes a strategic vi ...

). There are two soldiers on the monument, one fallen, and one standing to the side armed with a pistol. One side of the pedestal is inscribed with the text "Erected by the Citizens of San Francisco in Honor of the California Volunteers, Spanish–American War, 1898. First to the Front." The bronze figures are tall and long, mounted on a granite base another tall. Shortly after its dedication in August 1906,

Will Sparks William James "Will" Sparks (born 15 March 1993) is an Australian DJ and music producer from Melbourne, Australia, who is best known for his 2013 single " Bring It Back" with Joel Fletcher and his 2014 single " Ah Yeah So What!" featuring Wiley ...

criticized the original placement of the monument at Market and Van Ness, stating "from many points of view, including one of the most important, the ilhouetteis absolutely meaningless. Looking down Van Ness avenue it is impossible to tell what it is that surmounts the pedestal. There is nothing but a tangled mess of bronze." Sparks went on to recommend the monument should be relocated "up beside a building where only the one impressive side would show. Do this with it and it will become a great monument. As it is there is much that is disappointing."

References

External links

* * * {{Public art in San Francisco 1906 establishments in California 1906 sculptures Castro District, San Francisco Equestrian statues in California Monuments and memorials in California Outdoor sculptures in San Francisco Sculptures of men in California Spanish–American War memorials in the United States Statues in San Francisco

History

Design

See also

References

External links