Shinran Shonin Statue on Upper West Side: A Silent Witness to History and Intrigue
On Riverside Drive between 105th and 106th streets in New York City, a 15-foot bronze statue of Shinran Shonin, a 12th-century Buddhist monk, stands as a testament to resilience and peace. Originally located near Hiroshima, the statue survived the nuclear attack on August 6, 1945, and was later sent to New York in the 1950s as a gesture of peace. It now resides at the New York Buddhist Church. The block, seemingly quiet, is steeped in history, with stories of ambition, scandal, and survival. Notable past residents include Robert Benson Davis, the 'baking powder king,' and Bernard McMahon, known as 'Bennie the Bum,' who was involved in a major heist. The area also housed figures like Duke Ellington's family and actress Marion Davies.