7 Hidden Stories Behind Washington County’s Doughboy Statue
Walking down towards the intersection of Poplar and 5th Avenue stands a brass statue of a WWI doughboy. For almost 100 years, The Spirit of the American Doughboy has presided over the Washington County Veterans’ Plaza, a memorial located on the campus of The Tower Heritage Center.
If you’re from the area, you know what I’m talking about. We’ve all heard about the Veterans’ Plaza at one point or another, and pass by it all the time. But how often do you stop to consider the statue’s meaning and history?
Did you know that the Doughboy Statue is one of dozens across America? Or that a time capsule from 1927 was discovered in its base nearly 73 years later?
Here are seven stories behind The Spirit of the American Doughboy that you've probably never heard...
#1 The statue is modeled after a ‘Doughboy’ from WWI, with shocking authenticity.
The Spirit of the American Doughboy is a statue designed by E. M. Viquesney in Spencer, Indiana, during the 1920s. Though made of brass, his spirit is lively. He stands nearly 6 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. His uniform is accurate down to the last detail, from the gas mask pouch on his chest to the bedroll on his back. The barbed wire by his feet is real. It and the tree stumps symbolize the hardships of life during WWI.
The Spirit of the American Doughboy wears a compelling, authentic expression with his mouth slightly opened, revealing a crooked upper front tooth. In his arm, he held a genuine 1903 Springfield rifle fitted with a bayonet.
What’s a Doughboy?
The term ‘Doughboy’ began during the American Civil War and was popularized during WWI. It’s a nickname for the American infantrymen, whose uniforms, covered in clay, made them appear dough-like.
#2 It’s been replicated in over 140 locations across America, and 6 are in Wisconsin.
Viquesney has claimed to have sold more than 800 Doughboy Statues across America. An unverifiable – but certainly impressive – number. Over the years, many of these statues have fallen into disrepair or disappeared altogether.
Today, there are over 140 Doughboy Statues across America. Six are in Wisconsin, located in West Bend, Appleton, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Markesan, and Peshtigo.
Bridgette Becker
#3 Second to the Statue of Liberty, The Spirit of the American Doughboy is the most-seen statue in America.
It’s suggested that, second to the Statue of Liberty, Viquesney’s The Spirit of the Doughboy is the most-seen statue in the United States, in images and in person. The Spirit of the American Doughboy is an iconic symbol of our gratitude to those who gave their today for our tomorrows.
#4 In 1927, over 10,000 people came for The Spirit of the American Doughboy’s dedication.
Before it was the Washington County Veterans’ Plaza, it was referred to as the Soldiers’ Memorial, the crowning glory being The Spirit of the American Doughboy. The dedication ceremony was held on November 13th, 1927, and featured over seven bands, a mile-long parade, moving pictures, and so much more! Over 10,000 people came for the event, a record-breaking number.
#5 There’s a time capsule in the Doughboy Statue’s base.
A time capsule?! That’s right – a time capsule was placed in its base when the statue was first dedicated in 1927. In all the commotion of the original dedication ceremony, the placement of a few objects received little mention. Its existence escaped recollection until decades later, when the statue was disassembled for restoration and the time capsule was uncovered.
The time capsule was opened in 2000. Inside were 13 items. This included: a yellowed copy of the County Board Directory, postcards of the memorial, a folder containing the names of the children who contributed to the statue, and a book by Carl Quickert, a county historian.
When the restoration was finished, The Spirit of the American Doughboy was rededicated. The time capsule was returned to its resting place, with added contributions from the 21st century.
#6 In the 1960s, The Spirit of the American Doughboy was covered in gold enamel paint.
Sometime in the 1960s, The Spirit of the American Doughboy was covered in gold enamel paint. The bayonet had already been stolen by that time. The color was later altered to represent its original appearance during restoration.
#7 It was the first Doughboy Statue restored in Wisconsin, rooted in the Smithsonian’s SOS project.
Around the 1990s, awareness of The Spirit of the American Doughboy’s need for restoration began, but no one anticipated the full extent of the impairment.
The Spirit of the American Doughboy is hollow, like the Statue of Liberty. And like the Statue of Liberty, The Spirit of the American Doughboy was thought to be made of copper. Instead, it’s made from countless thin sheets of brass. By the time this was discovered – it was too late.
Concrete fills the base, or plinth, of the statue to weigh it down. Over time, the concrete got wet, expanding and contracting with the seasons. So did the Doughboy, his brass seams bursting and warping.
Restoring the Doughboy Statue
The restoration work took place in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Celestial Stone Foundry & Forge. The cracks between some of the seams had become so large that you could fit your fingers through them.
Blending the seams was just the beginning. The gold paint was replaced with a ‘statuary brown’, which is close to the original color intended by Viquesney. This effect was achieved by a chemical application that caused the metal to oxidize and darken. The last step was to apply lacquer to protect the finish, achieved with a product that is more commonly used to protect aircraft from wear and tear.
Then came the finishing touches. The Spirit of the American Doughboy’s bayonet was cast in bronze and fitted to the side case of his pack. The accompanying plaques were also restored and reinstalled.
Our The Spirit of the American Doughboy was the first of its kind in the state to be restored. The efforts were rooted in the Smithsonian’s SOS project (“Save Outdoor Sculpture”), an initiative to preserve communities’ sculptural historic landmarks.
The restoration costs totaled $20,000. While The Spirit of the American Doughboy was valued at over $100,0t00 after restoration, it’s agreed that its historic value is priceless.
“It’s simply not another piece of sculpture. It’s something related to our national heritage.” Tom Pankratz – operator of the Celestial Stone Foundry & Forge
Parting Words
The Spirit of the American Doughboy is an irreplaceable landmark of our community’s heritage. With community support, we are able to preserve irreplaceable landmarks like these, so that their stories will be remembered for generations to come.
Preserving the Past, for Tomorrow
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