Abingdon Square Doughboy
Abingdon Square Park
The derivation of the term doughboy remains in question. It was first used by the British in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to describe soldiers and sailors. In the United States the nickname was coined during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), and was widely popularized during World War I (1914-1918) to refer to infantrymen. After the war, in which Americans saw combat in 1917-18, numerous communities commissioned doughboy statues to honor the local war heroes. The Abingdon Square Doughboy is one of eight such statues erected in New York City's parks.
The monument was a gift of the Jefferson Democratic Club, whose headquarters once stood opposite this statue north of the park on the site now occupied by the residential high rise at 299 West 12th Street. Philip Martiny was a well-known sculptor of his day who received
numerous public commissions, among them the statues on the Surrogate Courthouse in Lower Manhattan, and the Chelsea Doughboy at 28th Street and 9th Avenue (for which the same model posed). The unveiling of the statue is reported to have been attended by 10,000 spectators, including 200 Gold Star Mothers (those who lost their sons in battle), and New York Governor Alfred E. Smith. In 1993, the statue was cleaned of soiling and surface corrosion, repatined, and waxed by the NYC Parks monuments unit, and since 1996 has been cared for by NYC Parks' Citywide Monuments Conservation Program, supported in part by the Abingdon Square Conservancy and contributions from individual donors.
In 2004, during the redesign and
renovation of the park, the monument
was relocated to face the southern
entryway, improving its visibility and
illumination. It remains a focal point
of Abingdon Square and a symbol of
sacrifice and community pride.
Erected by NYC Parks.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 40° 44.241′ N, 74° 0.331′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in West Village. Memorial can be reached
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Abingdon Square World War I Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Private Michael J. Lynch Flagstaff (a few steps from this marker); Abingdon Square Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beatrice Inn (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Family (about 500 feet away); “Mason’s Row” (about 600 feet away); 82 Jane Street (about 600 feet away); Cpl. John A. Seravalli Memorial Playground (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. The marker is located within the park, amongst some of the benches on the Hudson Street side of the park.
Also see . . .
1. Abingdon Square Doughboy. Official NYCP&R description. (Submitted on March 1, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Defender of the Flag - Abingdon Square. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on March 1, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 299 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on June 10, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 7, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on June 11, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on June 10, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.