Charles Ostner (Idaho's Pioneer Artist)

Burial Date: December 9, 1913
Location: Section E-146-5

"Idaho's Pioneer Artist"

In a glass case on the second floor of the state capitol building, there is a gilded equestrian statue of George Washington. Known as the Charles Ostner statue, it was carved from pine over a four year period by an Austrian immigrant who first modeled the piece in snow while working as a miner in the Florence Basin. To obtain Washington's likeness, Ostner used a U.S. postage stamp. He gave the statue to Idaho Territory in 1869; it stood outside on the capitol grounds for sixty five years before it was restored and brought indoors.

The legislature granted the sculptor $2,500 for his effort.

He also crafted several unique monuments for Pioneer Cemetery which the Idaho Historical Society now retains for safekeeping.