Sojourner Truth statue.

Sojourner Truth Statue

Though it was illegal for Sojourner Truth to travel to Indiana in May 1861, she did so anyway -- dressed in red, white, and blue, where she gave a speech outside the Steuben County courthouse in support of the Union cause in the Civil War. According to abolitionist accounts, her brief speech was disrupted by a drunken mob that threatened to tar and feather her (or worse). She was subsequently arrested, but the judge set her free.

Unfortunately, no one thought to write down what she said.

In June 2021 a life-size statue of Sojourner was unveiled on the spot where she stood. She carries a sheaf of papers in her hand -- possibly the undocumented speech -- but that must be an embellishment on the part of the sculptor since, as a former slave, Sojourner Truth had never been taught to read.

Sojourner Truth Statue

Address:: 55 S. Public Square, Angola, IN
Directions:: Midtown, on the southeast corner of the traffic circle intersection of US-20/Maumee St. and Wayne St.

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