Concourse in the Bronx in Bronx County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Louis J. Heintz Memorial
Erected 1909 by Pierre Feitu, Sculptor.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 40° 49.682′ N, 73° 55.393′ W. Marker is in Bronx, New York, in Bronx County. It is in Concourse. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East 161 Street and Walton Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The memorial stands on the grounds of Joyce Kilmer Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 East 161 Street, Bronx NY 10452, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trees by Joyce Kilmer (within shouting distance of this marker); Heinrich Heine Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Heinrich Heine Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Chateau Thierry (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edward Grant Barrow (approx. 0.2 miles away); Yankee Stadium September 11 Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pope Paul VI Mass (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pope John Paul II Mass (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bronx.
this page online
Also see . . . Louis J. Heintz Memorial profile on NYC Parks Site.
Excerpt from the profile sharing the history of Heintz and the memorial:
This monument in Joyce Kilmer Park honors Louis J. Heintz (1861-1893), early Bronx civic leader, and the first Street Commissioner for the district of the Bronx. French sculptor Pierre Feitu (b.1868) created the bronze figure of Heintz. The monument was dedicated in 1909 at the Grand Concourse, which Heintz advocated in behalf of as Street Commissioner.(Submitted on July 19, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Heintz was born in Manhattan in 1861 and began his career with the John Eichler Brewing Company, which was owned by his uncle; Heintz served as president of the Brewers’ Board of Trade of New York. After a section of the Bronx known as the 23rd and 24th Wards was annexed by New York City in the 19th century, Heintz became involved with the campaign by Bronx residents to create a separate board of improvements for the district. Heintz contributed to the campaign out of his own pocket, and became well regarded in the community in the process.
After the successful campaign he became the Bronx’s first Street Commissioner, essentially the position for which he had been lobbying, and worked on initial plans for the Grand Concourse. A rising political star, Heintz contracted a cold during Presidential inauguration ceremonies for one-time New York Governor Grover Cleveland (1837–1908) and died soon thereafter.
The monument once included a draped female figure called “Fame” that was depicted inscribing the words on the granite pedestal; it was vandalized and removed to storage. The monument was conserved in 2000.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 39 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 19, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
