Explore the History of this artwork, Eight Stone Lions.
Henry Clay Payne donated Eight Stone Lions to the city of Milwaukee. They were placed to guard each end of the two iron bridges in Lake Park. "The bridges were designed by local engineer Oscar Sanne to cross the two branches of the south ravine on either side of the lighthouse, carrying carriage and pedestrian traffic in and out of Lake Park, the original southern entrance to the park. The drive curned north from Park Avenue (now Wahl Avenue) along the bluff overlooking the lake."On November 1, 1897 the sculptures were dedicated at Lake Park, Milwaukee's first planned public park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. A popular Sunday activity at this time was to take the streetcar to Lake Park, where families would stroll, picnic and listen to a band concert.
Milwaukee Frederick Law Olmsted