Central Business District in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

A.J. Stevens Monument

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 25, 2009

1. A. J. Stevens Monument Inscription - Front of Monument

Inscription.
[Front of Monument:]
Erected To A Friend of Labor By His Coworkers Nov. 28, 1889
[Inscription on West Side of Monument:]
Think Look Up And Lift Up
[Inscription on Back of Monument:]
Well Directed Genius Elevates The People
1866 - 1888 [Inscription on East Side of Monument:]
Labor Is Entitled To A Just Reward

Erected 1889 by His Co-Workers, November 28, 1889.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is October 28, 1771.

Location. 38° 34.841′ N, 121° 29.644′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in the Central Business District. Marker can be reached from "J" Street. Marker is located at the Cesar Chavez Plaza facing “J” Street between 9th and 10th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. Old City Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Young America Engine Co. No. 6 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tony's Corner (about 500 feet away); Sa’ Cumn’e Plaza (about 500 feet away); United States Post Office, Courthouse, & Federal Building (about 600 feet away); Williams House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bishop Alfonso Gallegos (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pioneer Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Also see . . .
1. Andrew Jackson “A.J” Stevens (1833-1888) – Builder of Locomotives. Mountain View website entry:
A.J. Stevens was born in Vermont Sep. 14, 1833. In 1869 he was hired by Leland Stanford, President of Central Pacific (parent organization of Southern Pacific) as Master Mechanic. He was responsible for many locomotive inventions until his death in 1888. (Submitted on March 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. Andrew J. Stevens Biography. Internet Archive website entry:
A biography transcribed by Vicky Walker from the publication An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, Pages 797-798, Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. (Submitted on March 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. The Monument and Dedication

A. J. Stevens Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 25, 2009

2. A. J. Stevens Monument

Monument is facing south towards "J" Street

A.J. Stevens was the master mechanic for the Southern Pacific Railroad. The sculpture was erected by his coworkers. An estimated twelve thousand attended the dedication ceremony, with Governor Waterman and Mayor Gregory in attendance. - 1889.

The sculpture was done by Sculptor Albert Weinert (1863-1948), and dedicated on November 28, 1889. It is owned and maintained by the City of Sacramento, City Parks and Recreation.

— Submitted March 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

A. J. Stevens Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 25, 2009

3. A. J. Stevens Sculpture

The sculpture is of A. J. Stevens wearing the conventional dress of the time. He stands with his left arm resting on a rostrum.

Close-Up of Artwork on Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 25, 2009

4. Close-Up of Artwork on Monument

West Side Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 25, 2009

5. West Side Inscription

Back View of the Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 25, 2009

6. Back View of the Monument

East Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 25, 2009

7. East Side of Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2009. This page has been viewed 2,746 times since then and 114 times this year. Last updated on November 25, 2020. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.