The unique headless statue of General John Sevier, a symbol of Knoxville's rich history.
Knoxville, Tennessee, recently unveiled the intriguing headless statue of General John Sevier at the East Tennessee History Center. Created by Edgar W. Bowlin, this statue has a rich history, including loss and mystery surrounding its missing pieces. The community has rallied to support restoration efforts, transforming this artwork into a local treasure and engaging locals in a search for the statue’s head and hand.
Knoxville, Tennessee, is buzzing with excitement following the magical unveiling of a peculiar statue that has been stirring curiosity for years. On November 17, 2024, the infamous headless statue of General John Sevier was revealed to the public at the East Tennessee History Center, located at 601 South Gay Street, right across from the iconic Tennessee Theatre. This statue, created by artist Edgar W. Bowlin, is not only a notable historical figure but also an artistic gem that has seen its fair share of drama.
Edgar W. Bowlin, born in 1919 in Hancock County, was a celebrated artist and war veteran who served in World War II. Over his lifetime, he produced only three life-size sculptures, with the General Sevier piece being one of them. Bowlin became well-known for his statues of other prominent figures like Andrew Johnson and Kenneth D. McKellar. Despite his passing in 2001, Bowlin’s legacy lives on in his remarkable works of art that celebrate Tennessee’s rich history.
The General John Sevier statue has had quite an adventurous journey. Originally unveiled on January 2, 1960, it was displayed in the lobby of Home Federal’s Kingsport branch. Unfortunately, after the bank was sold in 1996, the statue was gifted to a local enthusiast, Donald Ault, who had grand plans to showcase it in a replica of Tennessee’s first state capitol. However, those plans took an unexpected turn due to the construction of the James White Parkway, leading to the statue being stored away for years.
The situation took a disastrous turn in August 2002, when the statue was tipped over. This act of mischief resulted in the statue losing its head and left hand, which remain missing to this day. The search for these missing pieces has become a local treasure hunt, with the East Tennessee Historical Society even offering no prosecution for tips regarding their whereabouts. Imagine being the one to find them!
Local community members, including Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, have rallied around the statue, supporting restoration and preservation efforts. A call was made for support from various organizations to pave the way for the statue’s installation and informative signage. It’s inspiring to see how a piece of art can tug at the heartstrings of a community and ignite a sense of pride in local history.
Interestingly, statues without heads are not as rare as one might think. Jim Cortese, a local arborist involved in the preservation efforts, pointed out that headless statues are a common motif in European culture, making this Knoxville statue a part of a broader artistic narrative. Perhaps the mystery of General Sevier’s head will add an intriguing twist to the region’s history.
As the East Tennessee Historical Society aims to bring attention to the statue’s plight and encourage local tourism, they plan to keep the statue on display in its current state. This means that the eyes of the community—and even visitors—will remain fixed on General Sevier, headless but full of story.
The unveiling serves not only as a means of memorializing a key figure in Tennessee’s history but also as an opportunity to engage with the community, inviting everyone to participate in the hunt for the missing pieces. There’s just something exciting about a good mystery, isn’t there? Knoxville now has its very own historical puzzle that could lead to a lasting connection with its past.
So, next time you’re walking near the Tennessee Theatre, why not take a moment to check out this unique piece of art? Who knows, you might just find a clue in the search for the long-lost head and hand that will restore General John Sevier to his full glory!
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