John B. Castleman Monument, Bronze equestrian statue in Cherokee Triangle, Louisville, United States
The John B. Castleman Monument is a bronze equestrian statue depicting a man in civilian dress astride his mare on a granite base that once stood in Cherokee Triangle. The sculpture shows Castleman riding Carolina, the specific horse chosen to represent this important figure in Louisville's development.
Sculptor Roland Hinton Perry created the monument in 1913 to honor Castleman's military service as a Confederate major and later as a United States Army brigadier general. The work remained at its original location for over a century until it was relocated in 2020 following community concerns.
The monument reflects Castleman's role in shaping Louisville's park system, where he served as Parks Commissioner for decades and left a lasting mark on the city's green spaces. His work transformed how the community experienced public lands.
The monument now stands at Cave Hill Cemetery, where it was moved in 2020 and sits in a quieter setting than before. Visitors can view it by entering the cemetery grounds, where it is positioned away from the urban traffic of its former location.
The statue depicts Castleman in civilian clothing rather than military dress, an unusual choice for a monument honoring a military officer. This artistic decision offers a different perspective on how the subject wanted to be remembered.
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