Simon Kenton statue at Kenton County Government Center unveiled, gift of R.C. Durr Foundation

The Kenton County Fiscal Court joined community partners and local elected officials Tuesday to celebrate the unveiling of the Kenton County Government Center’s Simon Kenton statue.

The nine-foot statue was donated to the County by the R.C. Durr Foundation, which commissioned Northern Kentucky sculptor Matt Langford for the piece.

“Simon Kenton was a true pioneer, whose courage carved a path through the wilderness and laid the foundation for many thriving communities, including our own,” Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said. “We’re grateful to the R.C. Durr Foundation for giving our residents this lasting reminder of Simon Kenton and his legacy of exploring the unknown.”

“We at the Durr Foundation were pleased to provide the funding for the statue and for the opportunity to gift it to the people of Kenton County in memory of our founder, R. C. Durr,” Will Ziegler, president of the Durr Foundation, said.

The statue features Kenton clad in buckskin and moccasins, holding a staff, which he carried continuously during the second half of his life after he set aside his rifle. Langford aimed to capture Kenton’s vigor and imposing presence that earned him the nickname “the Giant.”

“As a sculptor and visual historian, my hope is that in years to come this statue will tell the tale of a life well lived and awaken an interest in history among the young, becoming a landmark in their lives that they can, in time, share with their own children,” Langford said.

Langford’s work can be found throughout the region in communities such as Burlington, Covington, Fort Mitchell, Northern Kentucky University’s campus and Cincinnati. His work is also present in several states, including Illinois and as far as New York, where he assisted in the “Horse Soldier” statue that lives in Liberty Park at Ground Zero in New York City.

Born in 1755, Simon Kenton was a legendary frontiersman, soldier and pioneer, known for his role in the early settlement of Kentucky and Ohio.

Kenton was an experienced scout, often working alongside figures like Daniel Boone. Kenton saved Boone’s life at least once and was known for his resourcefulness and bravery.

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