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Arizona Oddities

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Home›Art›The Wounded Goddess Atop the State Capitol Dome

The Wounded Goddess Atop the State Capitol Dome

By Sam Lowe
February 4, 2011
6913
1

PHOENIX – The white statue that has been a permanent fixture atop the State Capitol dome for more than a century goes by several names.

She is called the Goddess of Victory, Statue of Justice and Winged Victory, but for a time the nickname Bullseye could have also been applied.

Winged Goddess on State Capitol in Phoenix

Goddess of Victory, Statue of Justice and Winged Victory. Photo Credit: Sam Lowe

The zinc goddess was cast in Ohio and purchased by the Territory of Arizona in 1898 for $150. When the Capitol building was formally opened in 1901, the 17-foot sculpture was placed on top of the copper dome to serve not only as a symbol, but also as a weather vane. But it frequently didn’t get the respect it deserved because of the cowboys who regularly visited Phoenix at the time. After a hard night in the local saloons, the cowpokes often amused themselves by riding to the Capitol and firing their six-guns at the winged icon to make it spin. Years later, during a restoration, workers found bullet indentations on her wings.

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Tagsartcowboyshistoryphoenixpolitics

1 comment

  1. Arizona Oddities’ Favorite 11 Posts from 2011 | 26 December, 2011 at 07:02 Reply

    […] We also want to hear what you found most memorable. Please leave us a comment with your favorites.The Wounded Goddess Atop the State Capitol Dome, Feb. 4, 2011 – The white statue that has been a permanent fixture atop the State Capitol […]

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