Statue of Christopher Columbus, Chicago, IL
1933 (photograph 1989)
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
This statue of Christopher Columbus by Carl Brioschi was dedicated in 1933 in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. Columbus stands looking in the distance with a scroll in his right hand. Carved into pedestal are images of Columbus's ship the Santa Maria, Paolo Toscanelli, Amerigo Vespucci, and the Seal of the City of Genoa (Columbus' birthplace). Also included on the corners of the pedestal are allegorical figures representing faith, courage, freedom, and strength.
In June 2020, during a series of national protests against police brutality and racism in policing, the statue was vandalized by protesters. Following a clash between protesters and police where the former had attempted to pull down the statue, the mayor of Chicago ordered the removal of the statue. It was removed from Grant Park on July 24, 2020. The Mayor of Chicago created a committee to evaluate monuments and statues across the city that had been a focal point of these protests. In February 2021, the Chicago Monuments Project released their report and selected Christopher Columbus Monument as one of 41 monuments that warranted a public discussion because it promoted narratives of white supremacy, presented an over-simplified view of history, presented a demeaning characterization of American Indians, memorialized individuals with connections to racist acts (including slavery and genocide) or created tension between people who see value in these artworks and those who do not.
This photo and description of the Columbus Statue in Chicago, IL are part of materials from the Grant Park registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.
In June 2020, during a series of national protests against police brutality and racism in policing, the statue was vandalized by protesters. Following a clash between protesters and police where the former had attempted to pull down the statue, the mayor of Chicago ordered the removal of the statue. It was removed from Grant Park on July 24, 2020. The Mayor of Chicago created a committee to evaluate monuments and statues across the city that had been a focal point of these protests. In February 2021, the Chicago Monuments Project released their report and selected Christopher Columbus Monument as one of 41 monuments that warranted a public discussion because it promoted narratives of white supremacy, presented an over-simplified view of history, presented a demeaning characterization of American Indians, memorialized individuals with connections to racist acts (including slavery and genocide) or created tension between people who see value in these artworks and those who do not.
This photo and description of the Columbus Statue in Chicago, IL are part of materials from the Grant Park registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006.
National Archives Identifier: 28890938
Full Citation: Statue of Christopher Columbus, Chicago, IL; 1933 (photograph 1989); National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Illinois; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records; Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006, Record Group 79; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/statue-of-christopher-columbus-chicago-il, September 8, 2024]Activities that use this document
- Statues of Christopher Columbus
Created by the National Archives Education Team
Rights: Copyright Not Evaluated Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
