Find This Lady
Posted on November 30, 2010 by bob in AroundMtgy
She stands with one foot poised on a large stone, knee partially raised, a horn-of-plenty resting on her thigh. From the downward turned mouth of the horn a variety of fruit, flowers and grains tumble out, a frozen, concrete waterfall. From her vantage point two stories above the street, she can see (if she indeed COULD see) Riverwalk Stadium, former home of The Western Railway of Alabama.
The horn-of-plenty held by this concrete half-statue is an ancient symbol, a sign of boundless riches and wealth, whether that wealth be land, crops, cattle, a strong and loving family, or coin of the realm. An ancient symbol, the horn-of-plenty has represented abundance and well-being since it first appeared in Greek mythology.
According to legend, the horn-of-plenty came – literally – from Amalthea, a she-goat that provided Zeus with milk as a baby. In thanks for this, Zeus broke off one of Amalthea’s horns and endowed it with the power to provide its owner anything their heart desired.
The downtown building holding this fair maiden and her horn-of-plenty dates from the late 1800s and stretches almost a full city block. This delicately detailed half-statue clinging to the brick wall has endured 125 years of rain, wind, sun and heat, standing proud and silent, her horn-of-plenty casting perpetual abundance on those below.
If you know where this is, call or e-mail. We’ll meet you at the site and take your photograph, for a future issue of Prime Montgomery.
Click here to see a reader who found the October’s Around Montgomery.
