On Wednesday, October 12, 1898, thousands of Civil War Veterans watched as young Nellie and Flora Blair tugged on the cords holding two silk American flags around the new statue of their grandfather, Michigan’s Civil War Governor, Austin Blair. Cheers and applause rang out as the bronze man, his hand resting on one of Michigan’s Civil War battle flags, came into view. This was a fitting tribute to the beloved leader who led Michigan through some of America’s darkest days.
The idea of placing a statue on Capitol Square originated in 1895, following Blair’s death the previous year. Senator Oscar A. Janes, a veteran of the Fourth Michigan Infantry, authored a Joint Resolution providing $10,000 for the project, to be overseen by three Commissioners, at least two of whom were veterans. Former soldiers flooded the Legislature with supportive petitions, encouraging them to adopt the project. They did, and soon after Governor Rich appointed Dwight Smith, General (and former Governor) Russell Alger, and General W. H. Withington to the Commission. (After Smith’s death, Gov. Pingree appointed Hon. John Patton to fill his place.)
The Commission awarded the design contract to Edward Clark Potter, a highly accomplished sculptor whose sister lived in Lansing. The Bureau Bros. Bronze Foundry of Philadelphia cast the body. Detroit architects Donaldson and Meier designed the Milford granite base, which was carved by C. W. Hills Steam Granite Works of Jackson, Blair’s longtime home.
The only controversy surrounding the statue regarded its location. The Commission wanted the statue placed directly in front of the Capitol, on the center walkway. The Board of State Auditors preferred placing on the lawn, near one of the Civil War cannons—a suggestion The State Republican endorsed.After months of public debate, the Commission triumphed.Two years later, the BSA approved a $183 project to expand and curve the walkway outward, thereby improving pedestrian traffic around the statue.
Blair’s statue naturally evolved into a tourist attraction, appearing in countless photographs and also in art for “The Onlooker” column in The State Journal. After years of poor maintenance and natural oxidation, the bronze statue was removed from its base and restored in early 1989 during the Capitol’s restoration.
