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Statue of the Naked Truth: A Symbol of Enlightenment

A St. Louis landmark honoring German-American journalists, symbolizing truth and enlightenment through a controversial yet captivating bronze sculpture.

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The Statue of the Naked Truth, located in Compton Hill Reservoir Park, is a bronze sculpture of a nude woman holding torches, commemorating three German-American newspaper editors and symbolizing truth and enlightenment. Its unveiling in 1914 sparked controversy due to its nudity, but it has since become a beloved landmark in St. Louis.

A brief summary to Statue of the Naked Truth

  • 1938-1998 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, Compton Heights, Missouri, 63104, US
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Local tips

  • Take a stroll around Compton Hill Reservoir Park to enjoy the beautiful scenery and architecture surrounding the statue.
  • Visit the nearby Compton Water Tower for a unique view of the city.
  • Check out other attractions in the area, such as Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    If you are near Tower Grove Park, exit the park towards Grand Boulevard. Walk north on Grand Boulevard for about 15 minutes. The statue is located on the east side of the street at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Eichelberger Street.

  • Public Transport

    From downtown St. Louis, walk to the nearest MetroBus stop. Catch the #10 Gravois-Lindell bus at the 8th Street and Convention Plaza stop. Ride the bus for about 20 minutes until you reach the Grand Blvd and Chippewa Ave stop. From there, walk south on Grand Blvd for about 10 minutes to see the Statue of the Naked Truth, located near the intersection of Grand Blvd and Eichelberger St. A single ride on MetroBus is $1.

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The Statue of the Naked Truth, a prominent landmark in St. Louis' Compton Hill Reservoir Park, stands as a memorial to three influential German-American newspaper editors: Carl Schurz, Emil Preetorius, and Carl Daenzer. These men were publishers of the St. Louis Westliche Post, a German-language newspaper that served the city's large German population from 1857 to 1938. The statue commemorates their contributions to American journalism and celebrates the German spirit within the American citizenry. Designed by German sculptor Wilhelm Wandschneider, the statue features a nude female figure seated on a stone bench, holding torches aloft. The nudity, quite naturally, symbolizes truth, openness, and transparency, while the torches represent the enlightenment of both Germany and the United States. The statue's design was the subject of considerable controversy when it was first proposed, with some St. Louisans finding the nudity inappropriate for a public monument. Adolphus Busch, the beer baron, was particularly opposed to the design and demanded the figure be draped. However, Wandschneider refused to alter his design, and the statue was ultimately erected in its original form, albeit in bronze rather than the originally proposed white marble, to de-emphasize the nudity. The statue was unveiled on May 27, 1914, and quickly became a topic of public discussion. In 1969, the statue was moved from its original location to accommodate the construction of Interstate 44. Despite the controversies and changes in location, the Statue of the Naked Truth has remained a significant cultural landmark in St. Louis, embodying ideals of truth, freedom of expression, and the contributions of German-Americans to the city's heritage. Today, visitors can admire the statue's artistic details and contemplate its historical significance within the serene setting of Compton Hill Reservoir Park.

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