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McKinley statue.
McKinley statue between 1905 and 1910.

Recycled McKinley, Was Columbus

Field review by the editors.

Chicago, Illinois

A green-with-age President McKinley stands atop a pedestal, staring off into a park that bears his name, ready to give a speech to anyone who remembers him. Sculpted by Charles J. Mulligan, unveiled on July 4, 1905, the statue almost didn't get made for a lack of funds -- until the Chicago Parks Commission came up with the ingenious idea of melting down a statue of Christopher Columbus that nobody liked, and turning it into a McKinley.

Mulligan's McKinley is not the typical representation of this President, but a younger, thinner McKinley -- as he looked in 1890, delivering a speech to Congress in defense of his proposed Tariff Act. The legislation passed, the party bosses took note, and six years later McKinley was President.

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Recycled McKinley, Was Columbus

Address:
S. Western Blvd, Chicago, IL
Directions:
In McKinley Park, on the southeast corner of S. Western Blvd and S. Archer Ave. It's a busy intersection; you might want to park across the street at the KFC.
Admission:
Free
Save to My Sights

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In the region:
Cube of 1 Million 1 Dollar Bills, Chicago, IL - 4 mi.

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