The Cherokee Indian statue is a well recognized landmark in South St. Louis. It first appeared on the corner of Jefferson Ave and Cherokee Street in 1985. The Cherokee Business Association was looking for a way to distinguish itself and after several ideas, landed on the statue idea.
Photo: The Cherokee Indian statue in 1988.
Artist Bill Christman was commissioned to create the 200 lbs, 13-foot tall fiberglass statue.
"The large Indian guards the corner of the historic Cherokee district’s antique and commercial area in South St. Louis. The landmark figure, presumably a Cherokee Indian, wears a feathered headdress, arm bands, and loin cloth. With arrow and tablet in hand, his right hand is raised in the ‘peace’ gesture." ~ St. Louis Regional Arts Commission
Photo: The Indian Statue shortly after its repainting in 2009.
Christman returned to pre-paint the weathered statue in 2009.
Sources:
Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/resource/mrg.03764/
WayMaker.com, www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMXP9_The_Cherokee_Indian_Cherokee_Station_St_Louis_MO
Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis, June 1, 2007, www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/cherokee-street-sculptor-is-his-own-worst-critic/article_c1a4b734-e38e-506b-a85e-5e2bede43963.html