The 8-foot bronze statue of sailor supreme, Leif Ericson, cast by Anne Whitney in 1887, stands tall in Milwaukee's Juneau Park. It's a lasting reminder of Leif's journey that didn't end in Greenland or Iceland, but in 21st-century Milwaukee, WI. Yep, Leif may not have sailed these waters, but this statue sure has crossed paths with them. Rumor has it, this monument to old Leif transports the tale beyond its geographical boundaries. Front and center, the statue overlooks the horizon with unwavering gaze.
A runic inscription at the base whispers a bit of history: 'Leif, the discoverer, son of Erik, who sailed from Iceland and landed on this continent, A.D 1000. But, the statue hasn't always been where it stands now. You can thank a move 20 feet west in 1995, along with a facelift, for that. The latest transformation bared hints of a past golden hue. Today, a lighting system, unveiled in 2001 by the Sons of Norway Fosselyngen Lodge, Milwaukee County, and the city of Milwaukee, cloaks the statue in light, offering a mystical connection to the Icelandic sagas. It's a nod to the reality that you don't always need to cross the sea to find a piece of Viking history close to home.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Friendly Jane
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