American Monuments: The Stories Behind Our Icons

By Eero Sorila

Have you ever wondered about the untold stories regarding our national monuments? Behind every story hides the one which we never hear. These are those stories.
How did these icons emerge and who made sure that they were preserved for us all to enjoy? Much credit goes to the National Parks of the United States of America. The National Parks Association has been a key player in preserving, especially natural monuments, for Americans and for people from around the world to see. You will be surprised at what ordinary citizens can do to protect our common architectural heritage. You will walk in the steps of Abraham Lincoln and Ansel Adams, both of them men who saw the future potential of protected natural areas.
Eric Sorila is a published photographer and journalist. He travelled throughout the United States, capturing on large format film, these 25 monuments. With a keen eye for detail, and the persistence to arrive at the monument sites at early dawn and late evenings light, Eric has presented to us our icons in their best light. These photos epitomize what it means to preserve and protect the monuments which make every American proud.
My love of history made it a challenging but rewarding task to research the less known stories of the monuments. My goal was to give you, the reader, a peak into the fascinating facts surrounding each photo. There is much more to tell about each monument. In this book I cover the highlights. Eric and I worked together with the purpose of presenting the stories in a summative form. Here are the wonderful and often wild places, the historic statues and the grand buildings for you to enjoy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499043389

Eero Sorila

Eero Sorila was twelve years old in 1957 when he and his parents immigrated from Finland to Canada. His parents, the late Henry and Alice Sorila faced many challenges, like other immigrants, in adapting to a new life in a new land. Their faith in God was foundational, providing strength in hard times, as it had been in Finland. Initial hardships eventually turned into blessings. Eero, the eldest son, thankfully admits that he also has been a recipient of the blessings. Eero maintains that it has been a profound privilege for him to photograph every province and territory of this great nation. CANADA Photographic Gallery of a Great Nation, is the author’s token of gratitude to God, his parents and Canada.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Eero Sorila. 537455

ISBN:    Softcover         978-1-4990-4337-2

              Hardcover       978-1-4990-4336-5

              EBook             978-1-4990-4338-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 11/05/2014

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Table Of Contents

Dedication

Introduction

1-Alaska, Mount McKinley

2-Arizona, Grand Canyon

3-California, Golden Gate Bridge

4-California, Hollywood

5-California, Sacramento

6-California, Yosemite National Park

7-Florida, Key West Lighthouse

8-Hawai’i, Iolani Palace

9-Hawai’i, Waikiki Beach

10-Idaho, Idaho State Capitol

11-Missouri, Gateway Arch

12-Montana, Wild Goose Island

13-Nevada, Caesar’s Palace

14-New York, Niagara Falls

15-New York, The Statue Of Liberty

16-Oregon, Crater Lake

17-Oregon, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

18-South Dakota, Mount Rushmore National Memorial

19-Utah, Delicate Arch Monument

20-Washington DC, United States Capitol

21-Washington State, Mount Rainier

22-Washington State, Seattle

23-Washington State, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

24-Washington State, Washington State Capitol

25-Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park

Acknowledgments

Bibliography

Dedication

One of my favorite childhood memories is a family vacation to New York City and the Statue of Liberty. Thanks to my parents, summer vacations were often spent in the great cities of America. Thank you, Mom and Dad.

—Mirjam Rand

Introduction

Have you ever wondered about the untold stories regarding America’s national monuments? Behind every story hides the one which we never hear. These are those stories.

How did these icons emerge and who made sure that they were preserved for us all to enjoy? Much credit goes to the National Parks of the United States of America. The National Parks Association has been a key player in preserving, especially natural monuments, for Americans and for people from around the world to see. You will be