“The Hiker” monument in Chicago is a statue dedicated to American soldiers who fought in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, and the Boxer Rebellion at the turn of the 20th century. This statue is one of several “Hiker” monuments found across the United States. The name “Hiker” refers to the foot soldiers who “hiked” through the tropical terrain during these conflicts.

Designed by noted sculptor Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson, “The Hiker” depicts a soldier in period uniform, with a hat, a bedroll, a rifle, and the weary yet resilient demeanor of a man who has endured the hardships of long marches and battle. Kitson’s “Hiker” has a rough-hewn realism that conveys the toughness and determination of these soldiers.

The Chicago “Hiker” monument is located in Garfield Park on the city’s West Side. It is one of many such statues that serve both as a memorial to the individual sacrifices made by soldiers during these often-overlooked conflicts and as a representation of the United States’ expanding global presence at the end of the 19th century.

The “Hiker” monuments across the country are significant not only as memorials but also as historical markers reflecting a pivotal time in American military history. They stand as a reminder of the soldiers who served far from home under challenging conditions, and they illustrate the nation’s commemorative traditions in honoring its veterans.