LEIF ERIKSSON MONUMENTS PAGES
| Place |
Artist |
Date |
Type |
Chicago, Ill. (USA)
|
Sigvald Asbjornsen |
1901 |
Statue |
Inscriptions:
LEIF ERIKSSON
DISCOVERER
OF AMERICA
Notes
In the Humboldt Park.
In the late 19th century immigrant interest in Leif Ericson was generated in response to the annual celebration of October 12th as Columbus Day, especially in New York and Chicago. Norwegian-American newspapers reminded readers and the general public of their own salt-spray heroes. Leif Ericson monuments sprang up here and there. In 1901 the Norwegian community of Chicago’s Northwest Side erected a statue in Humboldt Park. Since the sloop Restauration had landed with its passengers in New York on October 9, 1825, that October date was chosen for several ceremonies. Nicolay Grevstad explained in Skandinaven of Chicago that the Columbian Exposition of 1892-1893 had inspired the idea of the monument. In fact, a committee was formed for the purpose at that time.
Source(s):
- Photo: Peter van der Krogt, 13 October 2001
- Land, Sea, and Ice: Explorers and Discoverers in the Norwegian-American Press by Arlow W. Andersen (Norwegian-American Historical Association, Volume 33: Page 243)
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