The monumental scale of the Oklahoma Centennial Land Run Monument started to set in Monday for those attending the dedication of the latest project sculptures.
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Norman sculptor Paul Moore has completed 12 of the 46 one-and-a-half scale pieces that will span the Bricktown Canal near Centennial Avenue. The seven sculptures unveiled Monday include three horses with riders, a covered wagon drawn by two horses and a cannon.
"The Land Run monument, when it is completed, will be the longest and the largest bronze sculpture in the United States, Gov. Brad Henry said. "It will be a centerpiece for tourism in the state of Oklahoma.
Henry and U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, who announced hours later he would run against Henry in next year's gubernatorial election, spoke at the dedication.
The two agreed the sculptures are one of the most visible of the state's centennial projects.
Istook, R-Warr Acres, said the covered wagon statue is the largest bronze sculpture in the state.
"The people who established Oklahoma and came here in the land run were not dreaming small, Istook said. "The people who have put together this memorial to that event are not dreaming small either.
The monument will depict a scene from the 1889 Land Run that gave birth to Oklahoma City and eventually led to statehood for Oklahoma in 1907.
Mayor Mick Cornett said the wagon sculpture caught his eye immediately.
"I think this was the most beautiful of all the figures that I've seen so far, Cornett said.
Most of the money is in place for the $5 million monument. The city, state and federal governments are sharing costs on the project.
J. Blake Wade, executive director of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, said the project still is about $1 million short, and he hopes the state will make up the difference.
Moore, whom Istook referred to as "Oklahoma's Michelangelo, is expected to have the project done by the state's centennial celebration in late 2007.
