Bedford in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Archibald M. Willard, 1836-1918
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2021
1. Archibald M. Willard, 1836-1918 Marker
Archibald M. Willard, 1836-1918
Archibald M. Willard was born in Bedford, Ohio August 22, 1836, the son of the first pastor of the Baptist Church of Bedford. His famous painting The Spirit of 76 was developed over a period of years through numerous transitions from a humorous cartoon to an inspiring patriotic symbol. It first won wide acclaim at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and has since continued to be one of the most famous of all American pieces of art. Willard died in Cleveland on October 11, 1918, and is buried at Wellington, Ohio.
Bedford Kiwanis Club Rotary Club of Bedford Bedford Lions Club
July 4, 1955
Erected 1955 by The Citizens of Bedford.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 41° 23.432′ N, 81° 32.069′ W. Marker is in Bedford, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is on Broadway Avenue (Ohio Route 14) just south of North Park Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the east side of Bedford
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland, on the Lake Erie Shore, and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bedford Historic Business District (a few steps from this marker); Bedford Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); In Remembrance Veterans of World War I (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Franklin Fitch (within shouting distance of this marker); Bradford WWII Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Hezekiah Dunham House (within shouting distance of this marker); Elmer Harrison Flick (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2021
2. "The Spirit of '76"
This likeness of the "The Spirit of '76" is mounted above the historical marker.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Archibald M. Willard and The Spirit of '76
Also see . . .
1. Archibald MacNeal Willard (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: As a young man, Willard moved to Wellington, Ohio, where he began working for wagon maker E.S. Tripp. He began as a basic wagon painter, but eventually was allowed to paint elaborate decorations that were popular at the time. Willard joined the 86th Ohio Infantry Regiment in 1863 and fought in the Civil War, but was not heavily involved. During this time, he painted several scenes from the war.(Submitted on December 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Willard painted The Spirit of '76 about 1875 in Wellington, Ohio after he saw a holiday parade pass through the town square. Willard also painted three murals in the main hall of the Fayette County courthouse in Washington Court House, Ohio: The Spirit of Electricity, The Spirit of Telegraphy, and The Spirit of the Mail. Willard's most famous work is The Spirit of '76, previously known as Yankee Doodle.The original painting is displayed at Abbot Hall in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Several later variations painted by Willard have been exhibited around the country, including in the United States Department of State.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 20213. Archibald M. Willard, 1836-1918 MarkerLooking southwest from Broadway Avenue. Bedford Commons is in the background.
2. All About the Spirit of 76 Painting by Archibald Willard (American Revolution.org).
(by Edward St. Germain) Excerpt: Despite the near universality of this image as synonymous with Americanism and its instantaneous recognition in the iconography of the Revolution, the world of art has never considered it to be Art with a capital A. Almost immediately, it was dismissed by art critics as little more than a cartoon. However, it seized the public imagination with the kind of fervent adulation we see exhibited for todays rock stars. After the 1876 Centennial Exposition, it went on tour from Boston to San Francisco and was admired by sell-out crowds wherever it was shown. When first completed it was known as Yankee Doodle, and only later became known as The Spirit of 76.(Submitted on December 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
