Views of Oshkosh Public Library lions Sawyer and Harris from the inside

 

Photos by Retiring Guy

During the time that Retiring Guy was on the staff of the Oshkosh Public Library (August 1978-May 1986), the above three views would have been seen from the children's services department.  The conversion of the old main floor took place during the construction of a wraparound addition in 1967.

Photo credit:  Oshkosh Public Library

The view below was between the 3rd floor meeting room and Winnefox Library Service office.

Source:  Oshkosh Public Library

John Hicks commissioned the bronze lions from Gaetano Trentanove and presented them to the Oshkosh Public Library. The pair were put in position on October 7, 1912 and were publicly unveiled Wednesday afternoon, October 9, 1912. 

The dedication ceremony itself was brief, but fully reported in the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. J. Howard Jenkins, secretary of the library board presided. President John A. H. Keith of the Oshkosh Normal School presented the lions to the city on behalf of Colonel Hicks. The unveiling was done by President Keith and John Hicks III, grandson of the donor. The gift was accepted on behalf of the city by Mayor John Mulva and on behalf of the library by Carl B. Jackson of the library board. The Daily Northwestern reported: Thought seeds, that promise well for their fructification, were sown in the eloquent speeches of presentation and acceptance. Those who trimmed the dim light of the public library when it was flickering were not forgotten. Its friends of better days received their meed of praise. That strength which the lion symbolizes was prayerfully hoped for, for its future. 

The lions are full-sized, standing, and in a majestic pose. The two lions are nearly mirror images of one another, the west lion having its right leg extended, the east lion having its left leg extended. Affectionately known as Sawyer and Harris, they officially received the names in a contest held in 1977. The names appear carved in the stone above the windows behind them, not for the lions, but in honor of the founding donors of the building. 

The lions have an overall height of 60 inches, length of 112 inches and width of 20 inches. The bronze bases on which they stand are 2.5inches high, 99 inches long and 33 inches wide. They are of cast bronze, but the Italian foundry is not known.