The Hiker (Kitson)


The Hiker is a statue created by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson. It commemorates the American soldiers who fought in the Spanish–American War, the Boxer Rebellion and the Philippine–American War. The first version of it was made for the University of Minnesota in 1906, but at least 50 copies were made, and were erected widely across the United States.
"The Hiker depicts a hero stripped of his parade uniform and shown as a soldier reacting to the challenges of the battlefield."

Original

When she created The Hiker, Kitson already had a reputation for sculpting war memorial statues. For the title of her work, Kitson used the term that American soldiers in both the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War gave themselves: "hikers". Leonard Sefing, Jr., a Spanish–American War veteran from Allentown, Pennsylvania, was selected as the model for the statue after a photograph of him was entered into a national contest.
The original statue was unveiled at the University of Minnesota on Memorial Day, 1906. The statue stands in front of the armory at 15 Church Street. Also known as the Student Soldier Memorial, it is a monument to the 218 University of Minnesota students who served in the Spanish–American War. The statue is tall and stands on a granite base, depicting a soldier clad in a period uniform with a campaign hat and a Krag-Jørgensen rifle. Today this statue, now missing the muzzle of the rifle, is popularly known as Iron Mike.

Locations

Kitson's work proved to be very popular, largely because of its realism and historical accuracy. In 1921, the Gorham Manufacturing Company, located in Providence, Rhode Island, bought the rights to the statue, and over the next 44 years Gorham cast at least 50 Hiker statues. The earliest installations tended to be in the northeastern United States, with post-World War II statues installed mostly in the South and West.
Because of the wide distribution of the statues, they were used in a 2009 study measuring the effects of air pollution over the last century.
DateLocationCityStateCoordinatesUnique featuresPhotoRef
1906In front of the University of Minnesota Armory, facing Church StreetMinneapolisMinnesotaThis is the original casting
1911Kennedy PlazaProvidenceRhode IslandThis 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 aspices of Capt. Allyn K Capron Camp No. 1 and Sidney F. Hoar Camp No. 4 United Spanish War Veterans.
1921 Central Park located on Monument Hill east of Bradley BoulevardSchenectadyNew YorkThe Hiker statue overlooks Iroquois Lake. Dedicated under the auspices of General Eugene Griffin Camp No 11 United Spanish War Veterans and the Board of Supervisors of Schenectady County. The Hiker was rededicated June 15, 1996.
1923 Pine Grove Cemetery, 145 Boston StreetLynnMassachusettsFreedom - Patriotism - Humanity
Erected by the City of Lynn to Commemorating the Valor and Patriotism of the Men of this City who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898-1902. Dedicated May 30, 1923 under the Auspices of General Joseph P. Sanger Camp No. 15. United Spanish War Veterans Dept. of Mass.
1923 Canal Square CohoesNew YorkBears the inscription: "To the Men of Cohoes Who Served Their Country, in the War With Spain, The Philippine Campaign and the China Relief Expedition, 1898 and 1902." and containing the names of 203 Cohoes soldiers, sailors and marines.
1923Memorial HallDaytonOhio
1924 Deering OaksPortlandMaineIn memoriam, United Spanish War Veterans of Cumberland County, 1898 - 1902
1924 North-east corner of Bronson ParkKalamazooMichiganThe placard on the monument states "Erected by the citizens of Kalamazoo City and County to commemorate the valor and patriotism of those who served in the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition."
1924 Billings Park, South Salina & South Warren & East Adams StreetsSyracuseNew YorkErected by Onondaga County and Col. Butler Camp and Spanish War Veterans. The placard on the monument states "Erected by the County of Onondaga and Colonel John G. Butler Camp, Spanish War Veterans. To the memory of the soldiers and sailors of this country who volunteered and served in the war with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and Boxer Uprising in China. 1924"
1924 Moran SquareFitchburgMassachusettsThe placard on the monument states "This Monument Erected by The City of Fitchburg to Commemorate the Valour and Patriotism of the Men who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated September 1, 1924 under the Auspices of Guanica Camp No. 9 United Spanish War Veterans."
1925 Russell Sage College, looking toward Congress Street.TroyNew YorkDedicated under the auspices of Marcus D. Russell Camp No. 2 United Spanish–American War Veterans and the Board of Supervisors of Rensselaer County.
1925 Lucas County CourthouseToledoOhio
1926 Located at Main and Common StreetWakefieldMassachusettsThe placard on the monument states, "This Monument Erected by the Town of Wakefield to Commemorate the Valor and Patriotism of the Men of this Town who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated October 1, 1926 under the Auspices of Corporal Charles F. Parker Camp No. 39 United Spanish War Veterans Department of Massachusetts."
1926 Gale Park, Kenoza Avenue & Mill StreetHaverhillMassachusettsThe placard on the monument states, "This Monument Erected by the City of Haverhill to Commemorate the Valor and Patriotism of the Men who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated October 24, 1926 under the Auspices of Sergeant Fred Thomas Camp No. 48 United Spanish War Veterans Department of Massachusetts."
1926 Inside Bohemian National CemeteryChicagoIllinoisAn additional plaque, in the ground at the base of the hiker, was dedicated May 17, 1964. The plaque, in the shape of a cross, was an honor roll of 147 names of comrades from American Camp No.30 United Spanish War Veterans dedicated by the last six members of the camp.
1927Lt Joseph F Wehner Park on Lynn StreetEverettMassachusettsThe placard on the monument states "Erected by the City of Everett"
1927 Garfield Square Market at 5th StreetPottsvillePennsylvaniaThe placard on the monument states the following, "Dedicated Sept. 5, 1927"
1927 Oak Grove Cemetery, 230 Playstead RoadMedfordMassachusettsThe placard on the monument states "This Monument Erected by The City of Medford 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 Oct 12, 1927."
1928At the north end of Waltham CommonWalthamMassachusetts
1928Located Foster Park, Bordered by State S.E., Cherry S.E., & Prospect S.E.Grand RapidsMichiganFormerly located at Lookout Park from 1928-1957. The placard on the monument states, "Freedom, Patriotism and Humanity. Dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of the war with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition."
1928 In front of the Wichita Falls Memorial Auditorium.Wichita FallsTexas
1929 Bronstein Park facing Hanover StreetManchesterNew HampshireThe placard on the monument states "This Monument Erected by The City of Manchester 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 4, 1929."
1929Wisner ParkElmiraNew YorkThe placard on the monument states "In Memory of the Veterans who served during the Spanish American War, the Philippine Insurrection, the China Relief Expedition 1898 to 1902. Presented by the Citizens of Chemung County through the Honorable Board of Supervisors and the Honorable Mayor and Common Council of Elmira, N.Y.
Erected 1929
Veterans Committee Mayor John D. Driscoll, P.D.C., William H. Shay P.C., Sumner O. Smith P.C., William D. Gelder P.C., Leon A. Forrest P.C."
This Hiker was featured in a Post Card for Wisner Park in Elmira, New York in 1937.
1931 South End of Forsyth ParkSavannahGeorgiaOfficially called "The Georgia Volunteer," it was erected in Savannah because that city contributed more Spanish–American War soldiers per capita than any other city in Georgia.
1934 Chelsea City Hall ChelseaMassachusettsThe placard on the monument states" This Memorial Erected by the Walter I. Chadbourne Camp No. 24 U.S.W.V. in Honor of the Men of Chelsea who served in the 1898 - Spanish–American War - 1902
Dedicated November 11, 1934
Volunteers all by their service and their lives they gave the blessings of liberty and justice to the oppressed people of Cuba and the Philippines"
Additionally, the placard lists the names of the citizens of Chelsea that were members of the 1st Mass. Heavy Artillery H Battery U.S. Volunteers, members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Marine Corp, and identifies that Corp. Daniel J. Dempsey was killed in action July 1, 1898 at the Battle of El Caney.
1934Southeast corner of The CommonWoburnMassachusetts
1937West side of Taunton GreenTauntonMassachusettsThis Monument Commemorates the Volunteer Services of the men from the City of Taunton 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. Erected by Henry A. Williams Camp No. 29, United Spanish War Veterans, Dedicated October 10, 1937.
1937 Greenspace located at College Heights Boulevard, North 28th and West Tilghman StreetAllentownPennsylvaniaLeonard Sefing, Jr., a Spanish–American War veteran from Allentown, was the model for the statue.
The placard on the monument states, "Erected by the County of Lehigh, the City of Allentown and George H. Schwartz Camp, No. 2, United Spanish War Veterans - to commemorate the valor and patriotism of those who served in the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection, and the China Relief Expedition.
1938Traffic island at the intersection of Plymouth Avenue and Pleasant StreetFall RiverMassachusettsThe base upon which statue stands is formed from the top of a column from the demolished Fall River Customs House and Post Office set on a slab of Fall River granite. In 1983, the local and state historical commissions nominated the statue for the National Register of Historic Places, but the listing was rejected.
1938 Intersection of Lincoln and Market StreetsShamokinPennsylvaniaThe placard states "This monument was erected by the patriotic people of Shamokin and vicinity and the members of Major General Guy V. Henry Camp No. 11, United Spanish War Veterans, to commemorate the valor and patriotism of the men who served in the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition. Dedicated August 13, 1938"
1938 Located in Oscar C Wallace Park, on the corner of Pleasant & Highland StreetsMaldenMassachusettsThe placard on the monument states "This Monument Erected by The City of Malden to her sons who on land and sea defended the Nation's honor in the war with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated November 20, 1938 under the auspices of Col. Moses B. Lakeman Camp No. 44 United Spanish War Veterans."
1939 Loyola Avenue, facing north into the intersection with Poydras StreetNew OrleansLouisianaOriginally located at North Claiborne and Canal Street
1939 Hiker Park, at the intersection of Algoma Boulevard and Congress AvenueOshkoshWisconsinMade possible through the public spirit and generosity of the late Colonel John Hicks of Oshkosh under the auspices of Nelson A. Miles Camp No. 1 United Spanish War Veterans
1940 300 W. Main Street, Northside of courthouse lawnKnoxvilleTennesseeThe base of the monument is a boulder from taken from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Dedicated under the auspices of the Jack Bernard Camp, United Spanish War Veterans of Knoxville.
1940 Alabama Department of Archives and History-Statuary Hall,624 Washington AvenueMontgomeryAlabamaThis monument is located inside Statuary Hall and may be the only Hiker monument to be on display inside a climate controlled building.
1940 Fisher Veterans' Memorial Park, near the intersection of South 10th and South 9th StreetsLebanonPennsylvaniaThe placard on the monument states, "Dedicated to the men of Lebanon County who gave their lives in the Spanish American War." There are eight names listed on the placard.
1941 Located in Arcadia Park in Los Angeles County, originally at the southwest corner of Huntington Drive at Santa Anita Avenue. It was moved to its present location in the park’s center and rededicated on June 21, 1993.ArcadiaCaliforniaDedicated to those who served in the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898-1902. Presented by the county of Los Angeles, the United Spanish–American War Veterans of Southern California and Friends.
1941 State House Grounds next to Gervais StreetColumbiaSouth CarolinaErected by the State of South Carolina and her citizens to honor the memory of her sons who served in the War with Spain, The Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition 1898-1902. Dedicated October 22, 1941 by the Department of South Carolina United Spanish War Veterans. Another plaque lists the regiments from South Carolina and the names of the men who volunteered for the yellow fever test in Cuba.
1941 437 Broad StreetMeridenConnecticutErected by the Meriden City Council in 1941 for $3,000 and includes a plaque listing 206 names of Spanish–American War veterans.
1942 Located near North Landing Park, at the intersection of North Street and Crawford Parkway.PortsmouthVirginiaErected by the citizens of Portsmouth and Norfolk County. Sponsored by the Austin R. Davis Camp No 4 – United Spanish War Veterans and Auxiliary to commemorate the valor and patriotism of those who voluntarily served in the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition.
1943 North Lakewood and East Fayette streetBaltimoreMarylandThe pedestal is engraved with "Dedicated to the United Spanish War Veterans 1898 - 1902" The base is engraved "Erected 1943, Present by the State of Maryland, William M. Miller, Dept. Comdr"
1944 At the North 20th Street entrance of Linn Park.BirminghamAlabamaDedicated June 4, 1944, by the Ladies Auxiliary, United Spanish War Veterans, to the most unselfish mass act in history
1946 Michigan State Capitol grounds on S. Capital AvenueLansingMichiganErected through the efforts of the various camps and auxiliaries of the United Spanish War Veterans of Michigan and presented to the State of Michigan.
1947Penn Valley ParkKansas CityMissouri
1947Arsenal SquareCambridgeMassachusettsThe placard on the monument states, "This Monument Erected by the city of Cambridge 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 October 12, 1947 under the auspices of Leslie F. Hunting Camp No. 12 United Spanish War Veterans"
1948 Elm Street & Morris AvenueMorristownNew JerseyOn the back are carved the names of the Morristown men who died in service.
1949Capitol ParkSacramentoCalifornia
1949 Howard Park located at the corner of Parker and Okeechobee BlvdWest Palm BeachFloridaThe placard on the monument states, "This monument is presented by Public Subscription to United Spanish War Veterans Department of Florida to Commemorate the Valor and patriotism of the Men Who served in the War with Spain, Philippines Insurrection and China Relief Expedition, 1898–1902. Dedicated August 12, 1949 under the auspices of the W.E. Compton Camp, West Palm Beach, Florida."
1951Texas State Capitol grounds, near the western corner of the Capitol buildingAustinTexasThe Hiker is the last war memorial to be added on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol.
1956Spanish–American War Memorial Park, East Parkway Street and Central AvenueMemphisTennesseeInscription on plaque affixed to base reads: "The Hiker Typifying the American Volunteer who fought Spain in Cuba, the Philippines, and Boxer Rebellion. Erected in 1956 with funds raised by Spanish War Veterans of Memphis under the leadership of Fred Bauer, Commander."
1959 Armory ParkTucsonArizonaInstalled January 22, 1959
1965 Memorial Drive, just outside Arlington National CemeteryArlingtonVirginiaThe United Spanish War Veterans Memorial, consisting of a casting of the statue atop a granite plinth, is one of several monuments "not formally part of Arlington Cemetery."