You have probably read or heard this poem called Footprints in the Sand, but did you know there is a monument and park in Texas dedicated to this famous poem? Did you also know that there is a controversy about who wrote the poem?
Location
The Footprints in the Sand Monument is located in Carthage Texas. If you are journeying to or from Houston or Marshall on 59 or from Shreveport on 79, take loop 149 to find the park. If you have more time, you might consider visiting the Texas County Music Hall of Fame nearby.
This park is right next to the loop, so I might suggest putting on some of your favorite worship or instrumental music in your earphones if you want a more peaceful mood. On the other hand, with the traffic and the good night lighting, this park feels much safer than it would in a more remote locations.
Footprints
As you enter the park, you will see a monument with the poem engraved. Then, you notice the double sets of footprints changing to single ones, just like the poem. Along the way are benches given in honor or memory of loved ones as well as small tables decorated with footprints.
Fruits of the Spirit
A plaque suggests to visitors that since Jesus carries us in challenging times, we should encourage others with His fruits of the spirit. You will notice different fruits of the spirits on the lamp posts throughout the park.
The Sculpture
The tracks end in a fourteen foot bronze sculpture of Jesus carrying a man in his arms. The model for that man is Willie George, who started the project with a donation of $25,000.
The statue faces Ross plaza, a circular plaza ringed by more benches. Behind the benches on the stone wall are plaques that in honor of or in memory of loved ones. The space often hosts gospel concerts, small church services, memorial services, etc.
Story Behind the Park
Sculptor Bob Harness and his wife, Martha were looking for places to retire from Kansas City and felt drawn to East Texas. They eventually settled on Carthage, Texas, where Bob continued to sculpt. One day, he went to the funeral of a friend and read Footprints in the Sand on the back of the program. “This would make a good sculpture,” he thought. The community agreed.
Bob’s wife wasn’t too sure about the project at first. “How much is this going to cost? Will you get paid?” she asked him.
“I’m not gonna get paid anything. God gave me this talent. It’s payback time!” he answered.
God provided for the memorial. Walta and John Cooke II donated the land in memory of her parents. The community donated money. Children helped with the sculpture. There was even a viral video from a passerby that helped raise the money to finish the project. They dedicated this memorial park on August 19, 2014.
Who wrote the poem?
In researching this site, I discovered there is actually a controversy about who the author of this poem is. Though many versions of the poem say anonymous, Rachel Aviv wrote on the Poetry Foundation blog that least 4 people have claimed authorship.
A few years ago Burrell Webb, a retired landscape artist living in Oregon claims to have published the poem anonymously in local newspaper after his girlfriend dumped him.
Margaret Fishback Powers licensed the verse to HarperCollins Canada in 1993. She wrote about how she came to write the poem in her memoir, Footprints: The True Story behind the Poem That Inspired Millions,. She has licensed the poem to nearly 30 companies, including Hallmark Cards and Lenox Gifts.
Carolyn Carty, said she wrote “Footprints” in 1963, when she was six. She copyrighted the version in the 80’s to encourage others to turn to God and doesn’t believe people should profit from the poem.
The park chose to give credit to Mary Stevenson. Grieving from the loss of her mom and brother, Stevenson said she composed the verse in 1936. She handed out unsigned copies to anyone she met as her father didn’t think writing poetry was very valuable. Forensic evidence seems to prove her claims. A singer tells the story of how she “discovered” this true writer. Unfortunately there is now a dispute between the singer and the writer’s family.
All of these versions of the poem are a little different. The WOW Zone.com has information and correspondence from all of these possible authors. We may never know who really wrote the poem.
Final Thoughts
Whether visiting during the day or night, this is a beautiful park to contemplate how God has carried you during your hard times or to remember a loved one you have lost. If you would like to see a video version of this review, check out the YouTube video.
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