The Hiker (Spanish American War Memorial)

The Hiker (Spanish American War Memorial)

Subject (Topic)
Kennedy Plaza--Rhode Island--Providence
Monuments--Rhode Island--Providence
Downtown--Neighborhoods--Rhode Island--Providence

Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture

This Hiker (1911) is a 108-inch-tall bronze figure of a white male volunteer soldier. He strides forward with his left leg before his right and stares directly at the Federal Building. His arms are at his hips holding a Krag–Jørgensen rifle; his right hand, palm side down, grasps the end of the gun, and his left hand, palm side up, the barrel. He has a canteen, slung over his left shoulder, and a satchel, slung over his right shoulder. The satchel has imprinted on two crossed rifles and the words "US VOL" (US Volunteer Army). The canteen and satchel rest on his lower back. A cartridge belt is strapped to his waist, guiding the viewer’s eye to identify his slight contrapposto pose. He wears a button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his bicep, revealing veined, strong, arms. He sports a campaign hat; his trousers are tucked into lace-up calf-height boots—equipped for Caribbean weather and terrain. The figure is standing on a 72-inch rough-hewn angular base. This rough texture channels the "Rough Rider"—the name given to the 1st US Volunteer Army—and the difficult terrain they had to cross during the Spanish-American War.

On the front of the Hiker’s base, there is a bronze plaque of a cross that states (at each cardinal point) "CUBA," "PORTO-RICO," "U.S.A.," and "PHILIPPINE ISLANDS" in a clockwise direction. Inside the cross, the words "Spanish War Veterans 1898-1902" encircle a medallion of two white men—a sailor with a sword and a Rough Rider with a rifle—both weapons aim upward as they stare into each other’s eyes. In between them is a barefooted kneeling woman, with both arms stretched outward as she faces the Rough Rider. They appear to be on the shore, as the ocean is in the background, and a gunboat floats in the distance. It is the first of 21 Hikers that include a relief plaque. Therefore, it is uncertain if Kitson designed it herself. On the back of the base, there is a framed bronze plaque that recounts the historical reasons for this monument and names the monument’s sponsors.

Ruggles Kitson, Theodora Alice, 1871-1932
Gorham Manufacturing Company Founders

Photographs by Eric Sung, Professor, Providence College

July 12, 1925

The Providence City Council; Captain Allyn K. Capron Camp No. 1; Sidney F. Hoar Camp No. 4

City of Providence, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

JPEG

English

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Kennedy Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

Inscription on front plaque:
Cuba
Porto-Rico
U.S.A.
Philippine Islands

Spanish War Veterans
1898-1902

Inscription on back plaque:
This Monument Erected By The City Of Providence To Her Sons Who On Land And Sea Defended The Nation's Honor In The War With Spain, The Insurrection In The Philippines And The China Relief Expedition : 1898-1902

Dedicated July 12, 1925

Under The Auspices Of Capt. Allyn K. Capron Camp Nº 1 And Sidney F. Hoar Camp Nº 4

United Spanish War Veterans

180 in. (457. 2 cm)

Bronze; Granite

"Crowd Gathering for Dedication of Hiker Monument." Providence Journal, July 26, 1925.

"Parade Will Mark ‘Hiker’ Dedication." Providence Journal, June 24, 1925.

"Hiker Monument Service." Providence Journal, May 29, 1933.

Berger Bros. "Civic Center, Providence, R.I.", 1915, Rhode Island Postcard Collection, PC7706, Rhode Island Collection, Providence Public Library, https://provlibdigital.org/islandora/object/PC7706.

American Arts Post Card Co. "Exchange Place, Providence, R.I.", 1915, Rhode Island Postcard Collection, PC7020, Rhode Island Collection, Providence Public Library, https://provlibdigital.org/islandora/object/PC7020.

Department of Art, Culture, Tourism, City of Providence