Swampy's Florida

Here’s a postcard from around 1950 of the Monument of States in Kissimmee, that is still there today along the shore of Lake Tohopekaliga.

Charles Pettis conjured the idea of a statue of rocks of each state as a monument to represent a sense of unity of the entire United States against the country of Japan and their devastating attack upon Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941.

The location along the lake was significant as the area on the west side of the lake, that is part of the far longer Kissimmee River, was extremely busy, at the time, with fishermen at all times. Pettis thought was his statue would further attract the constant stream of fisher-folk.

Pettis collected contributions of various rock-like items, most all decorated, from each of the 48 states at the time. Even President Franklin Roosevelt contributed a stone to the venture.

The final structure ended up being 50 feet tall and not all that attractive. Yet, the goal was not superficial but practical. the statue was unveiled in 1943 as our country was well embroiled in World War II.
Eventually Hawaii and Alaska added to monument.

The structure was renovated in 2001. In 2015 the structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

You can plan a trip to visit this spot!
It even has an address! Here it is:
300 E Monument Ave, Kissimmee, 34741