Johnson City in Washington County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

“Sprit of the American Doughboy”

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 22, 2026

1. “Sprit of the American Doughboy” Marker

Inscription.
Sculpted by American sculptor Ernest Moore Viquesney, this statue depicts a World War I American soldier known as the “Doughboy”, walking through shattered tree stumps strung with barbed wire, his rifle in his left hand and his right above his head grasping a grenade. Sculpted in Spencer, Indiana, cast in zinc due to the cost of copper during the Great Depression, it was coated with seven layers of zinc to give a bronze appearance. Johnson City’s American Legion, Post #24 purchased the statue for $700. The statue was dedicated on Armistice Day, November 11, 1935, at Memorial Park.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 160.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1935.

Location. 36° 19.24′ N, 82° 20.493′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. It is on East Main Street west of Bert Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 E Main St, Johnson City TN 37601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vietnam War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Roosevelt Memorial Stadium (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson City Senior Center (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johnson City Sessions (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Johnson City Sessions (approx. half a mile away); Story of the Tweetsie (approx. half a mile away); Trail Geology (approx. half a mile away); John Sevier Hotel (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Also see . . . E.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 22, 2026

2. “Sprit of the American Doughboy” Marker

M. Viquesney. (Submitted on August 25, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 22, 2026

3. “Sprit of the American Doughboy” Marker

“Sprit of the American Doughboy” WWI Memorial Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 22, 2026

4. “Sprit of the American Doughboy” WWI Memorial Plaque

“Sprit of the American Doughboy” War Memorial Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 22, 2026

5. “Sprit of the American Doughboy” War Memorial Plaque

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 22, 2026

6. “Sprit of the American Doughboy” War Memorial Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 25, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.