PITTSTON — After a crash knocked over a statue of Christopher Columbus in Pittston last week, one man decided to fill in during its absence.
Lou McBride posted photos on Facebook of himself dressed in period clothing and standing in the original location of the statue with one significant difference.
McBride placed a “plaque” at his feet identifying himself as Leif Erikson. Erikson was a Viking explorer who is believed to be the first known European to reach North America in 1000 A.D., nearly 400 years before Columbus.
McBride says he stood there for an hour until he couldn’t feel his hands, but the photos quickly went viral.
Pittston city officials sent the Columbus statue to be repaired. There is no word when it might be back in its place in Pittston.