Born in Jõepere and schooled in Rakvere, Kreutzwald was a man of Virumaa and the creator of Estonia’s national epic ‘Kalevipoeg’.
Action to erect a monument to him was launched in 1937 on the 55th anniversary of his death, and funds were raised throughout Virumaa from donations and celebrations. Designed by Aleksander Eller, the monument was officially unveiled in 1938 and restored in 1981.