Erastus B. Wolcott

The Erastus B. Wolcott monument is a bronze equestrian statue showing a man and horse in detailed form, positioned above ground level in Lake Park. The sculpture portrays both the rider and animal with realistic proportions and finished surfaces.

Francis Herman Packer created this bronze monument in 1920 to commemorate Dr. Erastus B. Wolcott, Milwaukee's first professional surgeon and surgeon general of Wisconsin Territory. The work honors a key medical figure from the city's early development.

The sculpture reflects an early 20th-century tradition of honoring prominent local medical and military leaders through bronze monuments. It shows how the city chose to recognize those who shaped its development.

The monument sits in Lake Park with clear sightlines from multiple angles, making it easy to photograph and view the detail from various positions. It is accessible from the main park pathways and remains visible year-round.

Wolcott performed one of the earliest kidney removal procedures in medical history and also championed the creation of Milwaukee Soldiers Home. These achievements reveal how he shaped both surgical innovation and veteran care in the region.

Location: Milwaukee

Inception: 1920

Creator: Francis Herman Packer

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 43.06643,-87.87049

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:41