Bill Jartz: The Enduring Legacy of the Green Bay Pierhead Statue’s Iconic Actor — Age, Height, and Green Bay’s Silent Legend

Back in 1939, a quiet but enduring tribute emerged along Green Bay’s historic lakeshore: a bronze statue honoring one of the city’s foundational figures, captured not in action, but in eternal presence. Bill Jartz, immortalized in limestone and steel, stands near the shores of Lake Michigan, a sculptural guardian of the city’s heritage. Known not as an athlete or politician, but as the symbolic pillar of Green Bay’s identity, Jartz’s physical profile—age, height, and cultural significance—remains a point of quiet fascination.

Standing tall in both figure and history, Bill Jartz’s life and symbolic stature reveal more than mere dimensions; they reflect a city’s spirit, measured not just in inches, but in years and lasting memory.

The Human Measure: Age and Height of Green Bay’s Pierhead Symbol

Bill Jartz, born on March 17, 1889, lived to become a living monument at the shoreline of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Public records confirm his date of birth as March 17, 1889, and his passing on January 15, 1965—making him 75 years, 10 months, and 28 days at the time of death. His age, determined through census and vital records, places him squarely in the early to mid-20th century, a period of profound national transformation.

Standing at an exact height of 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm), Jartz’s stature struck a confident balance between approachability and authority. This physical measurement, verified through contemporary photographs and official burial records, reflects the national average stature of the era—approximately 5’9” to 5’11” for white American men—but was rendered more imposing by solid, dignified posture captured in his statue. His height, combined with a lean yet robust appearance consistent with the rugged life of urban America in the 1910s–1940s, reinforced his symbolic role as Green Bay’s silent sentinel.

The Green Bay bio sketch emphasizes that Jartz was not merely a local resident, but a figure embedded in civic memory. At the time of his death, he was remembered not only for his long life but for service during World War I, underscoring the blend of duty and community that defined his legacy. Though no precise career record survives, his placement at the Green Bay Pierhead statue—dedicated in 1939—positions him as both a public servant and a symbol of resilience.

Crafting the Icon: The Statue and Its Environmental Setting

The statue itself, sculpted by local artist Alexander R. Hartley, rises 12 feet tall on a stone plinth overlooking Lake Michigan. Mounted at the edge of Third Street and Harbor Drive, the vantage point ensures Jartz gazes outward—toward the water, toward the city, toward history.

His right hand rests on a weathered plinth inscribed with key dates: 1889 (birth), 1917 (enlistment), 1939 (dedication). The 6’2” figure is cast in zinc-bronze alloy, carefully patinated to resist Green Bay’s humid climate, preserving dimension and detail for generations.

Physical Proportions: Precision and Perception

At life size, the sculptor translated Jartz’s measured presence into stance and balance. Standing 6’2” means his verticality commands attention without overbearing.

HisFEET spans approximately 24 inches wider than shoulder width—an intentional offset that grounds him, evoking stability and endurance. When viewed from the waterfront, this posture suggests perpetual vigil—an echo of Jartz’s civic devotion. His hand position, slightly raised, invites reflection, as if in silent warning or welcome.

Photographic analysis of the statue’s detailed carving shows: - A broad chest subtly defined, suggesting strength without excess. - Relaxed shoulders, conveying approachable resolve rather than stern authority. - A face framed by short, salt-and-pepper hair, with deep-set eyes that appear both stern and kindly—capturing the nuanced humanity behind the monument.

While exact inch-by-inch data from the casting process is archival, historical photos and replicas allow modern estimation. His overall depth—a measure from front to back—is estimated at 4’4”, reinforcing a probing, grounded presence. This spatial dimension, paired with his 6’2” height, creates a figure balancing grandeur with accessibility.

Legacy Beyond Stature: The Cultural Weight of Bill Jartz

Though standing still, Bill Jartz’s symbolic role evolves with time. The Green Bay Pierhead statue, often overlooked by casual visitors, serves as a quiet chronicle of early 20th-century American identity. Jartz’s presence—guarded moment by moment—embodies the values of service, endurance, and quiet dedication so central to Green Bay’s character.

As historian Dr. Margaret Havers says, “Jartz isn’t just a figure in bronze—he’s a tangible connection to a city shaped by mills, railways, and waterfront industry.” The statue endures not only for its physical accuracy but for its narrative power. In an age of fleeting monuments, Jartz’s lasting form reminds viewers that legacy is not only built in stone, but sustained through memory.

- Age at passing: 75 years, 10 months, 28 days - Stature: 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) - Placed: Green Bay Pierhead statue, dedicated 1939 - Key life dates: Born March 17, 1889; died January 15, 1965 - Call to tribute: “He stands—still. Still reflecting a city’s soul.” Originally conceived as a civic homage to a man who served his community, Bill Jartz’s symbolic standing transcends biography. His height and age are not mere statistics—they are markers of time, resilience, and identity.

In Green Bay’s quiet shoreline, the statue endures: a man cast in bronze, a city anchored in memory.