Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial

Overview

Known locally as the Black Angel Statue, the Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial is one of Council Bluffs' most recognizable landmarks. The solid bronze sculpture commemorates Ruth Anne Dodge, wife of railroad pioneer and Civil War General Grenville M. Dodge, and was inspired by three visions she reportedly experienced during the months before her death in 1916.

The memorial was created by renowned American sculptor Daniel Chester French, best known for designing the seated Abraham Lincoln statue in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Over time, the bronze developed a dark patina, earning the monument its enduring local nickname and inspiring decades of local legends, ghost stories, and paranormal speculation.

Located near Fairview Cemetery and within walking distance of the Lincoln Monument, the memorial serves as both a significant work of public art and a lasting tribute to one of Council Bluffs' most prominent families. Visitors interested in local history can also explore the nearby Historic General Dodge House, the longtime home of General and Ruth Anne Dodge.

Category: Attractions