A few years ago a group here got busy and had a number of bronze statues created about important historical events. I believe the first bronze made was of Rev. Leonard Gaetz.
Rev. Gaetz came here to do a little preaching and promote the area for settlement of farming. Many of his family came here and they were all active in the community. Rev. Gaetz just happened to have land that the railroad went through and where the railway wanted to establish a town.
So a very appropriate bronze was created and put on a bench at the center of downtown Red Deer. Rev. Gaetz is sitting on the bench as if watching all the people go by and visiting with them
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The statue is quite lifelike.
ReplyDeleteIt really shows the man's character.
DeleteI like the statue. Isn't it remarkable how he looks very similar to a modern man of his age. With a woman, the changed fashions in clothing, hats and hair would date her a lot mmore precisely.
ReplyDeleteDo the gloves on the seat belong to the photographer?
Well, I never noticed the gloves before but they are probably mine. Good eye!
DeleteWonderful statue of the Rev Gaetz. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHe was a tough little guy to live out here before the railroad came.
DeleteThat is a most attractive statue. He looks most approachable - I hope he was.
ReplyDeleteHe was probably trying to get people to settle here.
DeleteThat is a fine statue, Red. I think they are a very appropriate way to remember people like him.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very appropriate method to display some of our history.
DeleteThere is some somewhat similar statue of Naismith on a bench in the town next to us. He was the inventor of basketball and came from around here.
ReplyDeleteYes, Naismith is a prominent Canadian.
DeleteNice statue, I suppose it was the least they could do if the railroad went through his land:0
ReplyDeleteThat's a great statue - it actually looks like he is taking part in a conversation!
ReplyDeleteA bench in Red Deer tells its tale,
ReplyDeleteOf Reverend Gaetz on settler’s trail.
He watched the town rise, rail and plow,
And still he sits there, watching now.
So hats off, Red, for showing us clear,
The history carved in bronze so near.
And if you stroll by, don’t be late—
Rev. Gaetz might say, “Sit down, Red, let’s debate!”
You inspired me to find out who the sculptor is. It's someone named Robert Spaith, according to this article:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=206970
Nice statue of an important person from the area.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful commemorative bronze! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteNice to celebrate that little bit of history.
ReplyDeleteI have seen other statues of important historical figures posed on city benches. I like them,
ReplyDeletePeople wanted the railroad to come through their property so that they could sell it at a good price.
ReplyDeleteWe have a statue like that of a woman sitting on a bench in our town and people always sit down to pose for a photo with her.
ReplyDeleteHe looks as if he is about to engage you in conversation!
ReplyDelete