Bear Grass, North Carolina: Henry Cowan Sculptures

It feels like you're standing in someone's back yard; you probably are. But the statues are close enough to the road that you don't feel like you're trespassing!

Henry C. Cowan did most of these sculptures in the 1980s. They are all of painted concrete. The war memorial started with the confederate soldier and cannon on the corner behind Cowan's house. They feature stone memorials to neighborhood veterans.

He had earlier done a mascot bear in front of the local Bear Grass High School, one of the smallest high schools in North Carolina. Another early work was a falcon on the grounds of Bertie High School, about 30 minutes north on US Highway 13, between Ahoskie and Windsor.

The bear in on Main Street in front of the school. George Washington is across the street in front of a community building. The war monuments are about three blocks away on the corner of Green and Ayers streets. I have not seen Henry in some years, and no one was home the day I [visited]. I have no news of him, but the monuments are well tended.