Debardeleben Park Traditional Cache

DeBardeleben Park

    The city of Bessemer was founded in 1887 by Henry F. Debardeleben This park named after him covers an entire city block. The site for DeBardeleben Park was laid out by the Bessemer Land and Improvement Company in 1890. Featured in the center of the park is a doughboy statue created by E. M. Viquesney. The bronze statue is one of more than 140 such statues that were created by Mr. Viquesney. It was placed after World War 1. The State of Alabama Historical Park Maintenance Program restored and preserved this statue so that future generations may remember the struggles and bloodshed preceding generations endured to protect the peace and liberties we hold dear. This is a fitting memorial to the fallen soldiers from the area whose names appear on two different plaques on opposite sides of the monument. One side lists the white fallen soldiers and the plaque on the other side is listed as "colored" soldiers. I am thankful we as a society do not try to make a difference like this anymore.