Classic American Dolls Raggedy Ann and Andy Statues Unveiled

An iconic American doll and her brother now have statues in their hometown. Raggedy Ann was patented by Johnny Gruelle of Arcola, Ill. in 1915. Her brother Andy came along five years later and Gruelle wrote books about the lovable characters. Last week, new statues of Raggedy Ann and Andy were unveiled in downtown Arcola and dozens came out to see, including Gruelle’s family and city council committee members, who say the statues will help with tourism. The committee helped raise about $65,000 for the statues. They’re made of bronze with a patina that allows for the statues to have been painted in the familiar Raggedy Ann colors.