Spirit of 98
The west Statehouse entry is symbolically guarded by 2 armed statues, honoring Ohioans that served their country in 2 defining conflicts at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
The Spirit of 98 by I. L Jirouch was erected in 1928 and honors the 20th anniversary of the Spanish American War, a brief conflict that launched the US as world power and saw the country gain not only territory but prestige.
The inscription reads:
The Spirit of '98
Erected by the State of Ohio to the honor and memory of the Ohio Veterans of the Spanish-American War Philippine insurrection and the China Relief Expedition.
1898 1902
Dedicated June 23, 1928
"The cause which triumphed through their valor will live"
Among the most prominent features of the Ohio Statehouse and Capitol Square is the symbolism found in the historic statues, monuments and markers expressing the ways different generations of Ohioans have understood their history and own experiences, and how they wished to be remembered.
Statehouse Statues
Surrounding the Ohio Statehouse are numerous statues and monuments. As part of a new program, you can telephone the statues and they will tell you in some detail about the subject. Here are the numbers:
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Veterans Plaza
614-728-6877 -
World War I Doughboy
614-728-6878 -
Discovery Plaza:
Christopher Columbus
614-728-6881 -
Spirit of '98
614-728-6882 -
McKinley
614-728-6883 -
My Jewels
614-728-6884 -
Peace
614-728-6885
The Ohio Statehouse is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.
Read also:
Timeline of the Ohio Statehouse
