In Limestone Country you’ll find impressive buildings made with our local stone and amazing carved artwork too. Can you find these limestone statues in Lawrence County?
Damon Bailey Monument
Heltonville, Indiana
Damon Bailey was only in the eighth grade when he caught the attention of Indiana Hoosiers coach, Bob Knight. Bailey was born in 1971 and grew up in Heltonville, Indiana where he attended Bedford North Lawrence. During his freshman year he led his team to the state’s Final Four.
After graduating high school, Bailey headed to Indiana University in Bloomington and became a starter and star player for the Indiana Hoosiers from 1990 to 1994. Earning an average of 13.2 points per game, he is now known as an Indiana Legend. Bailey finished his prep career as Indiana’s all-time scoring leader and helped attract a crowd of more than 41,000 to the 1990 state championship game. That is still a national record to this day!
The Damon Bailey Monument, located in Bailey’s hometown, is a tribute to the “kid that filled the Hoosier Dome.”
Joe Palooka
Oolitic, Indiana
Almost 80 years ago, Joe Palooka, a good-hearted boxing champion, starred in the funny pages. In 1940 Joe became the first comic strip character to enlist into the U.S. Military.
Palooka then became known as an honorable hero, fighting Nazis left and right. On June 16, 1948, the Joe Palooka statue was dedicated to Bedford, Indiana by comic strip creator Han Fisher.
The 10-foot, 20,000-pound statue was constructed by the Indiana Limestone Company and presented to the people of Bedford by Indiana Limestone Company President, William G. Riley. The statue was eventually moved to Oolitic, Indiana for safe-keeping. You can still see Joe standing tall and proud to this day!
Stonecutter Monument
Green Hill Cemetery – Bedford, Indiana
Many of the local stone carvers from the past are buried at Green Hill Cemetery near the Stonecutter Monument. The monument respectfully represents a late 19th century stonecutter holding a mallet in his hand.
Clasped hands are presented on the front of the monument, beneath the gabled roof. You will also find a collection of stonecutting tools placed strategically throughout the statue. Proudly on display since 1894, the Stonecutter Monument is a meaningful tribute to the limestone industry’s artists.
Doughboy Statue
Green Hill Cemetery – Bedford, Indiana
Located in Green Hill Cemetery, The Doughboy Statue honors Michael F. Wallner Jr., a WWI Doughboy. While serving his country in 1918, Wallner was profoundly injured by shellfire. Wallner never fully recovered from his injury and passed away in the U.S. Veteran’s Home in 1941.
The noble statue was modeled by Fran Arena and carved by Fred Edler. There are seven family members buried in this spot in Green Hill Cemetery, including Wallner’s parents, Michael F. Wallner Sr. and Mamie Akers Wallner.
Miss Indiana Statue
Bedford, Indiana
The glorious Miss Indiana Statue sits on top of the Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument on the square in downtown Bedford, Indiana. The statue serves as a tribute to the brave soldiers who served in WWI and to the early pioneers of Lawrence County. Atop the monument, sits what locals call the “Miss Indiana Statue.”
Several different stonecutters and carvers were involved in the creation of the statue. For example, Harry T. Easton carved Miss Indiana’s face, which was modeled after Mayme Smith (Hubbard), an employee of the Imperial Stone Company. This 12-ton statue was formally dedicated by Judge Ira C. Batman in 1924.
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