Back in January, a favorite local statue, one of two eagles–originally from the Traction Terminal Building–was damaged during the installation of signage for the wildly successful art show, Turf. The eagles were originally designed by Alexander Sangernebo, who designed much of the terra cotta and sculpture work to be found in Indianapolis.
(Read more about Sangernebo on the outdoor sculpture of Indiana by local expert Glory-June Greiff )
This was upsetting to all of us, and we’ve received multiple inquiries about the eagle’s fate on our facebookpage and elsewhere. Having been broken into multiple pieces, we were told that the fractured eagle would not be repairable, but that it would be recreated and replaced.
The replacement eagle is nearly completed and has been carved from Indiana limestone, and weighs between 1500 to 1800 pounds. The company performing the replication is Accent Limestone and Carving Inc. located in Spencer, IN.
This new eagle is meant to find his way back to the perch within a week or two…
What’s to be done with the fractured eagle has yet to be determined. What would you do with him? And how do you feel about the eagles?
This is VERY informative! From a truly progressive era of Indianapolis’ history as well!
Thank you so much for keeping us up-to-date on this! I think the fractured eagle should find a roost in the State History Museum.
The eagles were always a feature of my daily tours for Gray Line during the 90s and my own tour business from 1984 through 2007. In addition to the architectural features of the Old City Hall while it was the State Museum (one of our 2 regular stops on the 3 hour tours) I could comment (as I did when speaking about other attractions in the City) about our fame as the Crossroads of America which originated with the railroad lines that came into the City and the first Union Station, but also the status of Indiana (oh, for those days of mass transit to come back in full flower again!) the City as hub for the interurban system that was so vital to the state’s economy till cars took over. That led to the discussion of the Traction Terminal Building which could only be referred to the past tense.
I hate that the eagle lasted through the destruction of the TT Bldg, but not through an art installation. Glad to hear it is being replaced, but maybe the original could be added to the Limestone Museum in (?) Bedford Indiana vicinity showing the artistry of the original sculptor and the comparison to the new replacement process (perhaps it has not changed at all?).
I would say for a donation specifically designated for limestone sculptures restoration or preservation in the city. The donor would receive a remnant of the terminal eagle. This would insure other limestone
sculptures do not become terminal. Terry Shumaker
Is it true that there’s a time capsule inside the eagle?
Keep the original, now repaired, Eagle at the Indiana State Museum.
The Old Eagle was fragmented into about 50 pieces.
We were able to roughly piece most of it back together in order to take measurements for the new sculpture.
Unfortunately It is missing most of the right wing.
We will be installing the new Eagle on 08-23-12, starting at 07:30.
We have been informed that there are no plans for any further cleaning or restoration of the undamaged Eagle or bases.
I was astonished to hear what had happened. The media either ignored or glossed over the breakage at the time. I never saw a story about it then.
It was kind of an exciting moment severl years ago when I was looking over old photos of the traction terminal when I recognized the eagles. I’d never looked closely at the sign at the old City Hall, explaining their origin!
Sad about the destruction but glad for the restoration.
Now, how about restoration of the huge columns that used to sit on all corners of the Statehouse by the street? Who knows the story about those and where they went? I found some old photos showing them but they must have been removed in the 50’s or thereabouts.
While I was saddened by the accident that broke one of the original eagles, I like that the replacement eagle was carved by an Indiana artist thus encouraging the continuation of this form of art and supporting a “local” artist. Now we have something that joins both historical and contemporary carved limestone sculpture in one place.