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Statue of Christopher Columbus (Chula Vista, California)

Coordinates: 32°38′37″N 117°00′37″W / 32.6436°N 117.0103°W / 32.6436; -117.0103
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Statue of Christopher Columbus
Map
ArtistMario Zamora
MediumBronze sculpture
SubjectChristopher Columbus
Dimensions1.8 m × 0.91 m × 0.61 m (6 ft × 3 ft × 2 ft)
LocationChula Vista, California, U.S.
Coordinates32°38′37″N 117°00′37″W / 32.6436°N 117.0103°W / 32.6436; -117.0103

A statue of Christopher Columbus by Mario Zamora was installed in Chula Vista, California's formerly named Discovery Park, in the United States. The statue has been vandalized multiple times.[1][2] It was removed and placed into storage in June 2020.[3] The park named after Columbus's so-called "discovery" of America was renamed in 2022.[4]

The statue was installed in 1991 as part of the Columbus Quincentenary.[5] It was surveyed by the Smithsonian Institution's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in 1993.[6]

Description

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The memorial depicts Christopher Columbus with his arms crossed over his chest and holding a telescope. The bronze sculpture measures approximately 6 x 3 x 2 ft and rests on a 6-ft tall granite base with a 6-ft diameter. A plaque reads: "Columbus found a world, and had no chart / save one that faith deciphered in the skies / to trust the soul's invincible surmise / was all his science and his only art / George Santayana / Dedicated to the people of Chula Vista by the Rancho Del Rey partnership / a joint venture between McMillin Communities and Home Capital".[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Little, Joe (January 16, 2020). "City of Chula Vista to Decide on Removal of Christopher Columbus Statue in Park". NBC San Diego. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  2. ^ KUCHER, KAREN (October 14, 2019). "Christopher Columbus statue in Chula Vista park is vandalized again". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  3. ^ "Chula Vista city officials put Christopher Columbus statue in storage ahead of protest". June 12, 2020.
  4. ^ Murga, Tammy; Mapp, Lauren J (2022-11-03). "Chula Vista park where Columbus statue once stood will be renamed for Kumeyaay Nation". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  5. ^ Sklar, Debbie L. (June 12, 2020). "Italian-American Group Raps Chula Vista Removal of Columbus Statue". Times of San Diego. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Christopher Columbus, (sculpture)". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved April 26, 2021.