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The Boy with the Boot statue was given to the city of Sandusky
by Voltaire Scott. It was displayed in Scott's Park at the foot of
Wayne Street, beginning in 1895. After Scott's death, the statue
was stored in the city greenhouse. In the 1930's, it was placed in
a fountain in front of the courthouse in Washington Park. There are
several similar statues in the United States and abroad.
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The Boy with the Boot serves as the unofficial mascot of the city of Sandusky.
After several acts of vandalism in the 1990's, a second statue was cast in bronze.
The original zinc statue stands in the lobby of the City Hall building, while
the bronze Boy with the Boot remains in Washington Park year round.
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A Chronological
History:
1890 On September 8, the Sandusky City Council passed a resolution appropriating
$50 for the purpose of sending a committee to Chicago to gather information on
ways to improve the Sandusky city park.1
1890 On September 22, a resolution was passed "for the appointment of a
special committee of three in connection with the Superintendent of Parks to
build a greenhouse for the propagation of flowers and plants in the West Battery
place."2
1907 The "Red Popcorn Wagon" finds a home at the
corner of Columbus Ave and Washington Row.3
1908 On March 16, and ordinance calling for the issuing of $10,000 in bonds was
passed for the purpose of building a new greenhouse on the west part of Huron
Park bounded by Franklin, Monroe, and Elm Streets.
1908 On June 22, Lord & Burnham of Irving on the Hudson,
New York was awarded the contract to build a new greenhouse at the Huron Park
site.4
1935 The "Boy With the Boot" was moved from Scott
Park at the corner of Wayne and Water Streets to Washington Park.5
1941 Cleveland Plain Dealer feature article. "An attractive, four acre area
flanking the city's main intersection, the park is seen every year by thousands
of motorists passing through Sandusky. Aside from its scenic quality, the park
itself is a noteworthy example of what can be done to turn a civic liability
into an asset. Prior to the Civil War days, the site now occupied by the park
was a stone quarry, which later was abandoned and became a dumping ground. About
65 years ago (1876) the city took steps to eliminate the dumping ground by filling
it in and beautifying the grounds. At the southeast comer of Washington Park
stands Grace Episcopal Church, one of the oldest buildings in Sandusky.- The
church was built in 1835. The stone for it was taken from the quarry which once
occupied the site of Washington Park." The original article is framed
and on display at the City Greenhouse at 620 Elm Street in Sandusky.6
1972 Workers completed the installation of the Floral Clock in Washington Park.
The clock, built by I. T. Verdin Co., Cincinnati, was made possible by a $20,000
bequest from the Sidney Frohman Foundation.7
1974 New City Greenhouse dedicated.
1990 Washington Park gazebo constructed Dedicated the Mildred Pietschman McCrystal
Memorial Gazebo, the structure became a reality due to the financial support
of and anonymous Sandusky resident and the Sandusky Foundry and Machine Company.
The Sandusky High vocational carpentry class and the City of Sandusky cooperated
in its construction.
1997 Exchange Club Freedom Shrine completed.
1 Adapted from an August 14,1970 memo written to Robert Mcgregor, City Manager,
from Robert Maike. Back
2 August 14,1970 memo.
3 Sandusky Register. (May 2, 1957), "Popcorn Wagon still Subject for Camera
Fans."
4 August 14, 1970 memo. Back
5 Sandusky Register. (July 16, 1991), "$2000 Reward Offered in Vandalism." Back
6 Cleveland Plain Dealer. (July 13, 1941), "Washington Park, Beauty Spot
in Sandusky."
7 Sandusky Register. (October 18, 1972), "Time Goes on in Sandusky's Washington
Park." Back
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