Statue of Christopher Columbus

The Statue of Christopher Columbus is a marble figure standing on a granite column in Columbus Park, showing the explorer in an upright pose. The placement at the park's center makes it an obvious focal point where visitors naturally stop to observe its sculptural details.

Emma Stebbins created this monument in 1867, when Italian immigrants were establishing their presence in Brooklyn. The work marked an important moment in how this community claimed their place in American society.

The monument sits where neighbors gather and pass through daily. Placing it here reflected how Italian immigrants viewed this figure as part of their own story in America.

The park is easily reached by subway and bus lines that serve the Brooklyn area. The statue itself is always accessible during daylight hours and requires no entry fee to view.

During 1920s subway construction, the statue needed temporary braces to handle vibrations from the building work below. This challenge revealed the complications of keeping old monuments safe when a city is being rebuilt.

Location: New York City

Location: Brooklyn

Inception: 1867

Architects: Aymar Embury II

Creator: Emma Stebbins

GPS coordinates: 40.69392,-73.98992

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46