Leif Erikson Monument
Location Notes:

West of N. Humboldt Drive and north of field house driveway
Located Within: Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park
Artist: Sigvald Asbj酶rnsen
Year Created: 1901
Installed: 1950
Features: Outdoor, Sculpture

 

Description

Sigvald Asbj酶rnsen sculpted the Leif Erikson Monument which stands on a massive granite boulder in Humboldt Park. Born in Oslo, Norway, Sigvald Asbj酶rnsen (1867鈥1954) began studying art at a young age. He received a scholarship at sixteen, and studied at the Royal Academy in Oslo. In 1892, he emigrated from Norway to the United States. He soon learned that preparations for the World鈥檚 Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park fostered exciting opportunities for artists in Chicago. After participating in the fair, he continued to live and work here, producing figurative sculptures, portrait busts, medallions, and other artworks for parks, libraries, and museums throughout America.

Chicagoans of Norwegian descent commissioned Asbj酶rnsen to create the monument. Norse explorer and adventurer Leif Erikson (c. 970鈥揷. 1020) is believed to have been the first European to set foot on the American continent. Leif Ericson鈥檚 father, Eric the Red, established the first settlement in Greenland. During a journey from Norway to Greenland around 990 C.E., Leif Erikson landed at Newfoundland. Because he arrived well before Christopher Columbus, Erikson is often recognized as the 鈥淒iscoverer of America.鈥

On October 12, 1901 tens of thousands of flag-waving Scandinavian-Americans participated in events to celebrate the monument鈥檚 unveiling. Despite heavy rain that day, the festivities included a parade and a two-hour ceremony in Humboldt Park.

On 鈥淟eif Erikson Day鈥 in 1950, the statue was moved 250-feet from its original site to face Humboldt Boulevard, making it more accessible to the public. Among the large crowd celebrating the monument鈥檚 rededication was its then elderly sculptor, Sigvald Asbj酶rnsen.

Map & Facilities

Leif Erikson Monument

Leif Erikson Monument