What if I told you this statue had a rough start? This is the Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar Statue. It stands here at the entrance to Central Park. It honors a South American hero.
Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar led revolutions. He helped six countries gain independence from Spain. These countries include Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Bolivia was named in his honor.
But this statue wasn’t the first. In 1884, Venezuela gifted a Bol\u00edvar monument to New York City. It was placed on Summit Rock. This is the highest point in Central Park. People quickly disliked the statue. Architects and the press called it a poor work of art.
Venezuela tried again. In 1897, they presented a second sculpture. This one was also deemed unsuitable. The original statue was removed. For 20 years, the pedestal stood empty. People called the spot Bol\u00edvar Hill.
Venezuela didn’t give up. In 1916, they held a design competition. American sculptor Sally James Farnham won. Her monument was placed on Summit Rock in 1921. Farnham’s Bol\u00edvar was the largest bronze monument sculpted by a woman at the time.
In 1945, Sixth Avenue became the Avenue of the Americas. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia renamed it. He wanted to attract South American businesses. He also wanted to raise the avenue’s status. The park entrance was planned as a plaza for South American heroes.
The Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar Statue was moved here in 1951. It joined statues of Jos\u00e9 de San Mart\u00edn and Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ed. These three equestrian statues honor Latin American liberators.
President Harry S Truman even made a statement. It was read at the dedication ceremony. He said Bol\u00edvar’s life and work were significant to free people. Bol\u00edvar believed in freedom and union.
Look closely at the statue. Bol\u00edvar sits upright. He wears a military uniform. He holds his hat in one hand. The horse’s pose is similar to the Washington statue in Union Square.
Some say this Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar Statue lacks passion. They say it doesn’t connect with onlookers. Others appreciate its historical significance. It reminds us of Bol\u00edvar’s fight for South American independence.
The statue has been conserved. It is part of the Adopt-a-Monument Program. It stands as a tribute to a great leader. Despite its rocky beginning, the Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar Statue finally found its place here. It watches over Central Park South and the Avenue of the Americas. It serves as a reminder of unity.