Statue of Leif Erikson

The Statue of Leif Erikson is a bronze sculpture at Commonwealth Avenue Mall in Boston, showing the Norse explorer with his left hand raised to his brow. The memorial sits on a red sandstone pedestal as part of a row of monuments along this popular public avenue.

The statue was created by artist Anne Whitney in 1887 and was the first public artwork in the New World to honor a Norse explorer. Its installation marked an important moment in recognizing pre-Columbian explorations of America.

The inscription honors Leif Erikson with runes and English text, recognizing his arrival in North America. It tells of a historical connection between Scandinavian seafarers and the American coast that existed long before other well-known voyages.

The memorial is located in the western section of Commonwealth Avenue Mall, near the intersection with Charlesgate East, making it easy to find. The site is open to the public and can be visited at any time of day.

The granite base of the monument originally contained a water fountain system that was later converted into a flower bed. This transformation shows how public memorials adapt over time to serve new purposes.

Location: Boston

Location: Middlesex County

Inception: October 29, 1887

GPS coordinates: 42.34903,-71.09139

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52