This John B. Castleman Monument was erected in 1913 in Louisville, KY. Unveiled during Castleman’s life, the equestrian statue depicts the Confederate military leader and later US Army general in civilian dress, highlighting his role as a proponent of public parks in Louisville, KY.
A bronze plaque added after his death on the base states “Erected in Honor of John Breckinridge Castleman – Born June 30, 1841 – Died May 23, 1918 – By Friends who loved and respected him as a nobel patriot, gallant soldier and useful citizen –Major Gen. C.S.A. retired Brigadier Gen. USA”
In August 2017, following the unrest in Charlottesville, VA as part of the Unite the Right rally, the statue was vandalized. In the ensuing years, it was vandalized with paint several more times. In May 2019, Louisville’s Landmarks Commission agreed with the city’s mayor that it could be removed from its current location. Appeals followed until the statue was removed on June 8, 2020. Current plans include for it to be relocated to Cave Hill Cemetary where John B. Castleman is buried.
This photo and description of the John B. Castleman Monument in Louisville, KY are part of materials from its nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.
