The Coolidge examiner., 1932-10-07

Domingo In the West Indies.
The prize-winning design, a lighthouse in the
form of a cross, is the work of an English archi-
tect, twenty -four-year-old J. L. Greave of Not
tingham and when the lighthouse is completed
IL will be unique among memorial structures
throughout the world. And certainly it will be
the kind of memorial which Columbus himself
would have most desired-this great beacon
which shall safely guide the sailors OF both the
sea and the air who follow him to his last rest
ing place in Santo Domingo
The prize design, according to Frank Lloyd
Wright, the Chicago architect and a member of
the international jury, not only reflects monu-
ment of distinguished and impressive simplicity,
but ii presents a memorial form with purpose.
Anything in the nature of a monument" said
Mr.. Wright, "is today som~what old-fashloned.
in thought. This happens to be more memo
rial than a monument in that it serves a use
full purpose. Through its radiated lighting the
Columbus Cross will serve as both a good air
beacon and a good lighthouse AS a navgators'
and aviators' beacon 1t has, unlike many other
monuments some reason for existence. The his
torc spot chosen for the memorial on Santo Do
mingo harbor, not far from the ruins of what
was once the palace Of Columbus brother Bar
tholomew, is an appropriate site for this endur-
ing symbol Of friendship between North and
South America"
From its harbor side the lighthouse will be
reached by a flight OF broad low steps Accord
ing to the design the main entrance carries
into a building which, described by Mr.
Wright, becomes a series of high cool CANYONS
the walls bearing sculptured motifs. Standing
in the center of the largest canyon are six small
affairs. From these affairs light is radiated up
ward through clefts (in the mass of the struc-
ture) in the pattern of a cross. 1t is this light
ing system that forms the air beacon. The re-
voving navigators' beacon "a horizontal beam)
will be mounted at the center and highest part
of the cross. In its memorial chapel there will
be n tomb where the bones of Columbus which
students believe TO be in the Cathedral of
Santo Domingo. will be laid.
While the harbor portal may be called the
main entrance, there are two others almost as
impressive. They also form part of the setback
design Of the pyramdal pattern. There is
fourth portal at the diminishing point of the
cross, affording a view of Santo Domingo's avia-
tion field visitor may enter at the harbor side
and after traversing the several canyons leave
by a rear door. A terrace on top of the struc-
ture. also open TO visitors. commands fine view
of the harbOr and city. The altars which stand
free and clear down the center OF the major
canyon, will tell through bas-reliefs the story of
Columbus and his journey of discovery to
strange land.
That there is no idea of height in the me-
pressive feature of the design. Here is some
thing finer in the idea." said Mr.. Wright. some
thing little more natural little more organic,
a little a part of the historic plot it is to
commemorate. The simple thing. when you want
to mark a spot is TO drive in a post, and in the
case of most present-day monuments and sky
scraperS the higher the post the better. This
memorial is more like making a symbol lin this
instance a croSs) the ground and giving ii
architectural character that will endure for Gen.
turtles. 1t is earthquake-proof. In time the
jungle may grow over it. it may disappear from
sight it may be redscovered. But it will still
be a worthy symbol suitably cOmmemoratng a
great discovery"
More than $4,000 has already been contrib
uted by this country for the monument, which
will cost in the neighborhod of S1500000. Santo
Domingo and several South American cities have
appropriated several hundred thousand dollars
for the project, which is in charge of a COM
mittee of the Pan American Union.
So after more than half a century of persever-
ing effort. during which the idea of building
fitting memorial to the man who is universally
hailed as the discoverer of America was kept
alive by a few enthusiastic Iatin-Americans,
the dream is nearer reality than ever before in
this four hundred and fortieth year since Co
lumbus made his first epOchal voyage.
The honor of first suggesting the erection of
great memorial lighthouse to the eternal glory
of Columbus belongs to a son of Santo Do
mingo whose people have for many generations,
despite their small numbers and limited means
done so much to honor the of the great
navigator. Don Antonio de Monte Tejada of
Santo Domingo the spot Columbus loved above