Fort Moore Pioneer Monument, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

Fort Moore Pioneer Monument

The first formal observance of the Fourth of July in Los Angeles was held at Fort Moore in 1847 as part of the fort’s dedication ceremony. The most notable feature of the Fort Moore Pioneer Monument is the terra cotta bas-relief, designed by Henry Kreis and fabricated by Gladding, McBean and Company, depicting soldiers of the U.S. First Dragoons, New York Volunteers and Mormon Batallion raising the American flag. In addition to the flag-raising, the memorial depicts eastern pioneers and a prairie schooner that brought some of them here, Spanish ranchos and a depiction of the influence of Water and Power on the modernization of the region – emphasized by the 80 foot long waterfall to its right. The 237 foot long brick facade beyond the waterfall serves as a backdrop for a 68 foot high pylon with a 16′ x 11′ American eagle designed by Albert Stewart.

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Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt