The larger-than-life statue of the cartoon character Steve Canyon was dedicated on July 8, 1950, by Colorado Governor Ed Johnson.  Steve Canyon was the creation of Milt Caniff, who personally had the statue carved from Indiana limestone and donated it to Idaho Springs.  Caniff’s ties with this mountain community go back to 1948 when it was decided to change the name of Squirrel Gulch to Steve Canyon. Steve Canyon actually is a member of the Liberty Bell Group – officially the 327 Troop Carrier Squadron. Caniff applied for Steve’s membership when the squadron was formed in the fall of 1949. Subsequently the cartoonist received notification that Steve had been accepted. Now he is listed in the records under his own name, air force serial number, place of birth, next of kin, and wartime service record.