Central West End in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Frank P. Blair, Jr.

Born Feb'y 19, 1821 Died July 8, 1875

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 15, 2019

1. Frank P. Blair, Jr. Marker

Located at the rear of the statue

Inscription. This monument is raised to commemorate the indomitable free-soil leader of the West; the herald and standard bearer of freedom in Missouri; the creator of the first volunteer Union army in the South; the Saviour of the state from secession; the patriotic citizen-soldier, who fought from the beginning to the end of the war; the magnanimous statesman, who, as soon as the war was over, breasted the torrent of proscription, to restore to citizenship the disfranchised Southern people and finally, incorruptible public servant.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 38° 38.64′ N, 90° 15.945′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Central West End. It is at the intersection of Lindell Boulevard and Kingshighway Boulevard, on the left when traveling west on Lindell Boulevard. Marker is located near the northeastern corner tip of Forest Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5025 Lindell Boulevard, Saint Louis MO 63108, United States of America.

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Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: American Jewish Tercentenary Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Forest Park (about 500 feet away); World's Largest Chess Piece (approx. ¼ mile away); Pershing Place (approx. 0.3 miles away); Restoring the Glory (approx. half a mile away); Campus Rededication (approx. half a mile away); Steinberg Skating Rink (approx. half a mile away); Pope John Paul II in St. Louis (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Regarding Frank P. Blair, Jr.. Francis Preston Blair, Jr. (born in Lexington, Kentucky) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri

Frank P. Blair, Jr. Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 15, 2019

2. Frank P. Blair, Jr. Statue

On the bottom it reads his name and his birth and death dates

at the beginning of the American Civil War. In his early career, Blair was an attorney, having practiced in Thomas Hart Benton's law firm. He was involved in the Spanish-American War but he returned to St. Louis in 1847, before it was over. In 1861, he raised the First Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment to help defend the state against Missouri secessionists. Blair rose to the rank of Major General of Volunteers and would command divisions in the armies of Major Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman. After the war, he was the Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States running on the ticket of presidential candidate Horatio Seymour. In 1871, Blair was elected to represent Missouri in the United States Senate in which he served one term.

The statue, which is bronze and nine feet tall, was erected in either 1885 or 1888 (sources differ), and was designed by Wellington W. Gardner. It was dedicated by William Tecumseh Sherman.

Also see . . . Frank P. Blair, Jr. on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 19, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 15, 2019

3. Frank P. Blair, Jr. Statue

This is the reverse side where the inscription is

Major General Francis P. Blair, Jr. image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

4. Major General Francis P. Blair, Jr.

from Battles and Leaders of the Civil War by The Century Company, Vol. 1, 1887, page 281.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 581 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 4. submitted on July 16, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.