METROPOLIS, Ill. — The actress who first portrayed Lois Lane is getting her own statue.

This Ohio River city of 6,500 residents is known for the giant “Man of Steel” figure that stands outside its town hall and the “Superman Celebration” it holds each June. The town received authorization from D.C. Comics in 1972 to advertise itself as the “Home of Superman” and use associated images in marketing itself to tourists.

Hundreds of visitors — including numerous grown men wearing blue tights and red capes — descended on Metropolis June 11-13 to take part in the town’s 31st annual homage to the hero who disguises himself as a mild-mannered newspaper reporter.

As usual, one visitor received greater adulation than all the rest — Noel Neill, who portrayed the original Lois Lane in the movie serials of the late 1940s and, later, in the 1950s television series starring George Reeves as Superman.

Neill, 88, traveled from her California home to join local dignitaries in a ceremonial groundbreaking June 11 for the statue that will bear her likeness. She seemed humbled by the attention.

“Don’t say the statue’s for me,” Neill said. “Say it’s for Lois Lane.”

Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel, however, said the statue is specifically intended to honor Neill.

“She’s come here for years and years to the celebration, and there’s a great bond between the city of Metropolis and Noel,” he said. “Superman is our city’s superhero, but Noel Neill is the first lady of Metropolis.”

The statue will cost about $60,000, said Clyde Wills, who is helping coordinate fundraising. So far, efforts have netted more than $9,000, and Wills remains hopeful of raising sufficient funds in time to unveil the statue at next year’s celebration. Part of the campaign involves selling personalized bricks for $75 each that will be around the statue.

Wills, 63, is the retired editor of the city’s newspaper — named, of course, the Metropolis Planet. It’s a weekly paper, so it goes without the word “Daily.”

Like others, he appreciates Neill’s support for the annual Metropolis event.

“I never thought we’d get someone of her stature — a TV and movie star — coming here,” Wills said. “But she loves it, and we love to have her.”

In addition to playing Lois Lane, Neill previously starred in Western movies and other shows.

Throughout the recent celebration in Metropolis, Neill took time to sign autographs and chat with fans. At one event, she watched old Superman re-runs on a big screen with those who packed into a large room to hear her recollections of making the episodes.

Neill left full-time acting in 1960, at age 40, after the end of the “Adventures of Superman” series and the shooting death of actor George Reeves. She worked in administrative roles for several film and television companies, doing everything from secretarial work to helping sell TV shows to networks.

In 1981, she began working part-time as an assistant to actor Tom Selleck during his days on the TV series “Magnum P.I.” — helping answer fan mail and other tasks — and continues to do work for Selleck to this day.

She also continued her involvement with the Superman saga — appearing in small roles in the 1978 film starring Christopher Reeves, an episode of “Superboy” in 1991 and the most recent Superman movie — “Superman Returns” — in 2006.

Former “Jimmy Olsen” actor Jack Larson, with whom she co-starred in the 1950s, also played in the latter two projects.

Nowadays, Neill lives just minutes from Larson.

“He’s a neighbor of mine almost,” she said. “He’s doing fine. We talk on the phone all the time, and once in a while we’ll meet for lunch.”

Neill hopes to return to Metropolis next year to see the completed statue.

“I guess I’ll keep coming here until I die,” she said with a laugh. “And I’ll try to put that off a while.”

For more information or to buy a brick, visit noelneillstatue.com or metropolischamber.com.