In this view of the Ohio River front, the 4 pillars are the Four Freedoms monument. at 267 SE Riverside Dr. Evansville's most recognizable landmark, the Four Freedoms Monument, is a numerical testament to the United States' most treasured freedoms. Thirteen concentric steps, representing the original 13 colonies, lead to four columns, which are surrounded by 50 pedestals that each bear the name and seal of one state from the Union. The limestone columns, which were originally built in 1882 to adorn the entrance of the C&EI Railroad Depot in Evansville were salvaged in 1961 at the Depot's demolition and given a new purpose 15 years later. The Four Freedoms Monument was erected in 1976 in celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial. Four smooth-shafted, ionic columns act as 26-foot tall evocative reminders of: the freedom of speech, freedom from oppression, freedom of religion and freedom from fear. Some also suggest the circular base on which these four columns sit symbolizes a fifth freedom, the freedom to peacefully assemble, which many groups do at this site regularly. (http://www.celebrateevansville.com/four-freedoms/) To the right, the double towers are the Hotel McCurdy at 101-111 SE 1st St., formerly 401-415 Upper 1st St. The McCurdy Hotel was developed as a luxurious facility to aid the city's expansion efforts . It was named after Col. William H. McCurdy, local industiralist and investor. The aging St. George Hotel, on the existing site, was razed in 1915 to build this magnificent hotel. Designed by H. Ziegler Dietz, the U-shaped, 8-story building featured a grand Rose Room located on the top floor. The hotel was built in opened for business on June 17, 1917. During its heyday, the McCurdy was operated as a Van Orman hotel. According to the Courier & Press' archives, several prominent guests stayed at the McCurdy including Katharine Hepburn, Clark Gable, Sen. Joseph McCarthy and Richard Nixon. Business at the hotel dwindled in the late 1960s and McCurdy fell into bankruptcy. The hotel closed its doors March 16, 1969. Local businessman Robert E. Green bought the hotel and reopened it. By October 1970, however, Green sold the building to Medco Corp, which stated its intention to turn it from a hotel into a residential facility and retirement home. In 1989, it was resold again, becoming the McCurdy Healthcare Center. In June 2006, McCurdy was renamed Riverwalk Communities and changed its cliental focus. After several violations and citations from the Board Of Health, the facility agreed to cease operations. Plans are in place now to convert the building into upscale apartments. These apartments are being leased as of 2018. The green-roofed building is the Hadi Shrine at 6 Walnut St. This building was built in 1910 as the second location of the Gilbert Hospital/Gilbert Sanitarium. The Shrine moved in in 1923.