The Hiker

Penn Valley Park is home to The Hiker, sculpted by Theo A. R. Kitson (1871–1932), the first woman to be admitted to the National Sculpture Society. The Hiker is one of 52 bronze sculptures cast between the years 1921 and 1956 of a uniformed Spanish American War soldier standing with his legs apart, and left foot forward, holding his rifle horizontally in front of him with both hands. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up and he wears a wide-brimmed hat and a cartridge belt. A knapsack rests on his rear left hip and a canteen on his rear right hip. He is holding a rifle, horizontally across the front of his body at waist level. A satchel and a canteen hang at his hips from shoulder straps. This Spanish War Veterans Memorial is located across the Street from the Federal Reserve Bank. The Inscription reads, "To Commemorate the Valor and Patriotism of the Men who Served in the War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, and China Relief Expedition 1898 – 1902." Similar sculptures can be found in Schenectady Central Park, Schenectady County, New York and Arcadia Park, Los Angeles County, California, as well as many other locations in the U.S.