This just in: Abraham Lincoln has been spotted in Crown Point.
He and notable characters have been seen all across town, creating quite a visual spectacle. These new arrivals are all the creations of Seward Johnson, a famous artist who is best known for his large, life-like sculptures.
The City of Crown Point played host to the statues last year and this is their second visit. The city leased 10 (including Lincoln – all three stories of him) statues and they will be displayed from April to November of this year. Each sculpture is sponsored by a local business and we can see familiar faces like Marilyn Monroe, mariachis, and other life-size and life-like statues that are frozen representations of what the everyday citizen of Crown Point would be doing like reading on a bench, walking a dog, sight-seeing, selling hot dogs, and more.
The initiative was headed by Councilwoman Carol Drasga. She thought that it would be a huge boost to tourism in Crown Point and she believed that Lincoln was an appropriate addition this year as it’s Indiana’s bicentennial.
"After our reviewing first year with the creative art statues - it was measured as a very positive venture that attracted a lot of tourism to visit the city,” Crown Point Mayor David Uran said. “With the continued support of our businesses helping to defer most of the overall expense of this promotion, the City along with the Redevelopment Commission added another year."
Here is the finalized list of statues and their respective sponsors:
"A Little to the Right" - Centier Bank
"Ambassador of the Streets - Ron Morris Family
"Captured" - The Schweitzer Family in memory of Josephine Schweitzer
"God Bless America" - Walsh & Kelly
"Holier Than Thou" - Walsh Advisors, Cyndi and Tim Walsh
"Marilyn Monroe" - Geisen Funeral Home
"Relish, Too?" - Supporters of the Hotdog Guy
"Sharing Headlines" - Dr. Leonard Anglis
"Time's Up" - Crown Point Community Foundation
"Yum Yum in a Dress" - Hub Bootery
Instead of heading to Chicago to take in the interesting arts, architecture, events, that are available there, you can stay close to home and discover the unique offerings of Northwest Indiana.
“We look forward to a lot of interaction by the region to see the statues which will lead to visiting our city. Tourism helps supports our business community - I measure this as a great economic driver - it's a win-win for Crown Point,” Mayor Uran said emphatically.