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| 1892 1909 The steel Monroe Street Bridge |
The installation features 39 replica bison skulls placed along the bridge's railings, spanning a total of 200 feet.
The skulls are made of fiberglass and range in size from 28 inches to 40 inches in length.
The installation was created by artist Ken Spiering in 1978 as a temporary installation.
The installation was intended to raise awareness about the near-extinction of bison in the 19th century due to overhunting.
The skulls represent the millions of bison that were killed during this period.
The installation proved so popular that it was made permanent.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls have become a well-known landmark in Spokane.
The skulls are painted to look like real bison skulls, with variations in color and texture.
The installation is illuminated at night, adding to its visual impact.
The installation has been used as a backdrop for numerous photoshoots and films.
The Monroe Street Bridge itself was built in 1911 and spans the Spokane River.
The bridge is a popular spot for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls have been featured in numerous news articles and travel guides.
The installation has been the subject of controversy in recent years, with some calling for its removal due to its association with the hunting and killing of bison.
Supporters of the installation argue that it serves as an important reminder of the impact of human actions on the environment.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls were featured in the opening credits of the 1994 film "Greedy."
The installation has been vandalized in the past, with some of the skulls being stolen or damaged.
The Spokane Arts Commission oversees the maintenance and upkeep of the installation.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls remain a popular attraction for visitors to Spokane and continue to raise awareness about the importance of preserving wildlife and natural habitats.
The installation was partially funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The bison is an important symbol of the American West and a cultural icon for many Native American tribes.
The bison were hunted to near extinction in the 19th century, with only a few hundred remaining by the late 1800s.
Efforts to restore bison populations have been successful in recent years, with an estimated 500,000 bison now living in North America.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls are one of several public art installations in Spokane, including the Riverfront Park Pavilion and the Spokane Falls SkyRide.
The skulls were installed as part of a larger effort to revitalize Spokane's downtown area.
The installation was inspired by a similar art piece created by Spiering in Sacramento, California.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls have been featured in several art exhibits and publications over the years.
The installation has inspired similar public art projects in other cities, including Denver, Colorado, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The skulls were created using molds of real bison skulls, which were then cast in fiberglass.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls have been used as a location for wedding and engagement photoshoots.
The installation has been recognized with several awards for its impact on the community and for its artistic merit.
The skulls are arranged in a way that creates a sense of movement as if the bison were running across the bridge.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls have been featured in several documentaries about public art and the history of Spokane.
The installation is a popular spot for tourists visiting Spokane and has become a beloved local landmark for residents as well.
The skulls are periodically cleaned and maintained to ensure their longevity.
The installation has been the subject of several public art tours and educational programs.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls have been praised for their ability to provoke thought and encourage dialogue about issues related to wildlife conservation and human impact on the environment.
The installation is an example of how public art can transform a space and serve as a symbol of community pride and identity.
The installation is visible from several points in the city, including Riverfront Park and downtown Spokane.
The skulls were installed on the bridge's railings using a custom mounting system designed to ensure their stability and safety.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls have become a popular spot for social media posts and selfies.
The installation has been used as a backdrop for several community events, including the Spokane Lilac Festival Parade.
The skulls are arranged in a way that creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, giving the installation a cohesive and unified feel.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls are one of several public art installations in Spokane that celebrate the city's history and culture.
The installation has been featured in several academic papers and studies on public art and its impact on communities.
The skulls were created using a combination of hand sculpting and computer-aided design techniques.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls have been recognized with several local and national awards, including the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Year in Review.
The installation has become a popular spot for local artists to showcase their work, with several pieces of graffiti and street art appearing on and around the skulls over the years.
The Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls are a testament to the power of public art to inspire conversation, create a sense of place, and celebrate the natural world.
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