The Hiker is a bronze statue created by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson. It commemorates the American soldiers who fought in the Spanish–American War, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Philippine–American War. The first version of it was made for the University of Minnesota in 1906,Rubenstein, Charlotte Streifer, American Women Sculptors: A History of Women Working in Three Dimensions, G. K. Hall and Co. Boston, 1990, pp. 103–104. but at least 50 copies were made, and were erected widely across the United States.

"The Hiker depicts a hero stripped of his parade uniform and shown as a soldier reacting to the challenges of the battlefield."Little, Carol Morris, A Comprehensive Guide to Outdoor Sculpture in Texas, University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas 1996, p. 70.

Original When she created The Hiker, Kitson already had a reputation for sculpting war memorial statues. For the title of her work, Kitson used the term that American soldiers in both the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War gave themselves: "hikers". Leonard Sefing, Jr., a Spanish–American War veteran from Allentown, Pennsylvania, was selected as the model for the statue after a photograph of him was entered into a national contest.

The original statue was unveiled at the University of Minnesota on Memorial Day, 1906. The statue stands in front of the armory at 15 Church Street. Also known as the Student Soldier Memorial, it is a monument to the 218 University of Minnesota students who served in the Spanish–American War. The statue is tall and stands on a granite base, depicting a soldier clad in a period uniform with a campaign hat and a Krag–Jørgensen rifle. Today this statue, now missing the muzzle of the rifle, is popularly known as Iron Mike.

Locations

Kitson's work proved to be very popular, largely because of its realism and historical accuracy. In 1921, the Gorham Manufacturing Company, located in Providence, Rhode Island, bought the rights to the statue, and over the next 44 years Gorham cast at least 50 Hiker statues. The earliest installations tended to be in the northeastern United States, with post-World War II statues installed mostly in the South and West.

Because of the wide distribution of the statues, they were used in a 2009 study measuring the effects of air pollution over the last century.

DateLocationCityStateCoordinatesUnique featuresPhotoRef 1906 In front of the University of Minnesota Armory, facing Church Street Minneapolis Minnesota This is the original casting Harris, Moira A., Monumental Minnesota: A Guide to Outdoor Sculpture, Pogp Press Inc., 1992, p. 33. 1911 Kennedy Plaza Providence Rhode Island This Monument Erected by The City of Providence to her sons who on land and sea defended the Nation's honor in the war with Spain, the Insurrection in the Philippines and the China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated July 12, 1925 under the aspices of Capt. Allyn K Capron Camp No. 1 and Sidney F. Hoar Camp No. 4 United Spanish War Veterans. "The Hiker" Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian Museum1921 (May 30)Central Park located on Monument Hill east of Bradley Boulevard SchenectadyNew YorkThe Hiker statue overlooks Iroquois Lake. Dedicated under the auspices of General Eugene Griffin Camp No 11 United Spanish War Veterans and the Board of Supervisors of Schenectady County. The Hiker was rededicated June 15, 1996. 1923 (May 30)Pine Grove Cemetery, 145 Boston StreetLynnMassachusettsFreedom – Patriotism – Humanity Erected by the City of Lynn to Commemorating the Valor and Patriotism of the Men of this City who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated May 30, 1923 under the Auspices of General Joseph P. Sanger Camp No. 15. United Spanish War Veterans Dept. of Mass. 1923 (October 21)Canal Square (formerly known as McKinley Square)CohoesNew York Bears the inscription: "To the Men of Cohoes Who Served Their Country, in the War With Spain, The Philippine Campaign and the China Relief Expedition, 1898 and 1902." and containing the names of 203 Cohoes soldiers, sailors and marines. 1923Memorial HallDaytonOhio 1924 (May 17) Deering Oaks Portland Maine In memoriam, United Spanish War Veterans of Cumberland County, 1898–1902 1924 (May 10) North-east corner of Bronson Park Kalamazoo Michigan The placard on the monument states "Erected by the citizens of Kalamazoo City and County to commemorate the valor and patriotism of those who served in the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition." Hendry, Fay, photos by Balthazar Korab, Outdoor Sculpture of Kalamazoo, iota press, Okemos, MI, 1980, pp. 22–23. 1924 (May 30)Billings Park, South Salina & South Warren & East Adams StreetsSyracuseNew YorkErected by Onondaga County and Col. Butler Camp and Spanish War Veterans. The placard on the monument states "Erected by the County of Onondaga and Colonel John G. Butler Camp, Spanish War Veterans. To the memory of the soldiers and sailors of this country who volunteered and served in the war with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and Boxer Uprising in China. 1924" 1924 (September 1) Moran Square Fitchburg Massachusetts The placard on the monument states "This Monument Erected by The City of Fitchburg to Commemorate the Valour and Patriotism of the Men who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated September 1, 1924 under the Auspices of Guanica Camp No. 9 United Spanish War Veterans." 1925 (September 19)Russell Sage College, looking toward Congress Street.TroyNew YorkDedicated under the auspices of Marcus D. Russell Camp No. 2 United Spanish–American War Veterans and the Board of Supervisors of Rensselaer County. 1925 (November 11)Lucas County CourthouseToledo Ohio 1926 (October 12)Located at Main and Common Street Wakefield Massachusetts The placard on the monument states, "This Monument Erected by the Town of Wakefield to Commemorate the Valor and Patriotism of the Men of this Town who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated October 1, 1926 under the Auspices of Corporal Charles F. Parker Camp No. 39 United Spanish War Veterans Department of Massachusetts." 1926 (October 24)Gale Park, Kenoza Avenue & Mill StreetHaverhill Massachusetts The placard on the monument states, "This Monument Erected by the City of Haverhill to Commemorate the Valor and Patriotism of the Men who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated October 24, 1926 under the Auspices of Sergeant Fred Thomas Camp No. 48 United Spanish War Veterans Department of Massachusetts." 1926 (September 26)Inside Bohemian National CemeteryChicagoIllinois An additional plaque, in the ground at the base of the hiker, was dedicated May 17, 1964. The plaque, in the shape of a cross, was an honor roll of 147 names of comrades from American Camp No.30 United Spanish War Veterans dedicated by the last six members of the camp. 1927 Lt Joseph F Wehner Park on Lynn Street Everett Massachusetts The placard on the monument states "Erected by the City of Everett" 1927 (September 5)Garfield Square Market at 5th StreetPottsvillePennsylvania The placard on the monument states the following, "Dedicated Sept. 5, 1927" 1927 (October 12)Oak Grove Cemetery, 230 Playstead RoadMedfordMassachusetts The placard on the monument states "This Monument Erected by The City of Medford to her sons who on land and sea defended the Nation's honor in the war with Spain, the Insurrection in the Philippines and the China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated Oct 12, 1927." 1928 At the north end of Waltham Common Waltham Massachusetts 1928Located Foster Park, Bordered by State S.E., Cherry S.E., & Prospect S.E. Grand Rapids Michigan Formerly located at Lookout Park, from 1928 to 1957. The placard on the monument states, "Freedom, Patriotism and Humanity. Dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of the war with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition." Hendry, Fay, photos by Balthazar Korab, Outdoor Sculpture of Grand Rapids, iota press, Okemos, MI, 1980, pp. 68–69. 1928 (May 27)In front of the Wichita Falls Memorial Auditorium. Wichita Falls Texas Little, Carol Morris, ‘’A Comprehensive Guide to Outdoor Sculpture in Texas’’, University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas, 1996, p. 71. 1929 (July 4)Bronstein Park facing Hanover StreetManchesterNew Hampshire The placard on the monument states "This Monument Erected by The City of Manchester to her sons who on land and sea defended the Nation's honor in the war with Spain, the Insurrection in the Philippines and the China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Dedicated July 4, 1929." 1929Wisner ParkElmiraNew York The placard on the monument states "In Memory of the Veterans who served during the Spanish American War, the Philippine Insurrection, the China Relief Expedition 1898 to 1902. Presented by the Citizens of Chemung County through the Honorable Board of Supervisors and the Honorable Mayor and Common Council of Elmira, N.Y. Erected 1929 Veterans Committee Mayor John D. Driscoll, P.D.C., William H. Shay P.C., Sumner O. Smith P.C., William D. Gelder P.C., Leon A. Forrest P.C."

This Hiker was featured in a Post Card for Wisner Park in Elmira, New York in 1937. 1931 (June 7)South End of Forsyth ParkSavannahGeorgiaOfficially called "The Georgia Volunteer," it was erected in Savannah because that city contributed more Spanish–American War soldiers per capita than any other city in Georgia. 1934 (November 11) Chelsea City Hall (500 Broadway) Chelsea Massachusetts The placard on the monument states" This Memorial Erected by the Walter I. Chadbourne Camp No. 24 U.S.W.V. in Honor of the Men of Chelsea who served in the 1898 – Spanish–American War – 1902

Dedicated November 11, 1934

Volunteers all by their service and their lives they gave the blessings of liberty and justice to the oppressed people of Cuba and the Philippines"

Additionally, the placard lists the names of the citizens of Chelsea that were members of the 1st Mass. Heavy Artillery H Battery U.S. Volunteers, members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Marine Corp, and identifies that Corp. Daniel J. Dempsey was killed in action July 1, 1898 at the Battle of El Caney. 1934 Southeast corner of The Common Woburn Massachusetts Dedicated November 11, 1934, stated on marker 1937 West side of Taunton Green Taunton Massachusetts This Monument Commemorates the Volunteer Services of the men from the City of Taunton who on land and sea defended the Nation's Honor in the War with Spain, the Insurrection in the Philippines and the China Relief Expedition 1898–1902. Erected by Henry A. Williams Camp No. 29, United Spanish War Veterans, Dedicated October 10, 1937. 1937 (October 10) Greenspace located at College Heights Boulevard, North 28th and West Tilghman Street Allentown Pennsylvania Leonard Sefing, Jr., a Spanish–American War veteran from Allentown, was the model for the statue.