FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-127

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 5, 2026) – In Fun with Maps today, we celebrate the world’s most iconic Lady.

LADY LIBERTY

The cornerstone of the statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was laid in place on August 5, 1884. 

The stone is a six-ton block of link granite that contains a time capsule with copies of the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, Washington’s farewell address, newspapers, and portraits of the officers of the New York Grand Mason Lodge that was responsible for the final construction of the statue.

Although the statue was a gift from France, the United States was responsible for the cost and construction of the pedestal that the statue stands on.  Federal money ran dry and public fundraising, led mostly by publisher Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American, was necessary to finish the project.

The pedestal was completed in April 1886 and the statue was dedicated that year in October.  Rebuilding the 350 pieces of the statue that were sent from France took 15 months.  The head was previously on display at the Paris World Fair in 1878.

This Navigational Chart of New York Harbor is by NOAA from 1984. 

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Be sure to visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.