Remember those Memorial Day parades? The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument stands here a silent observer of history. It commemorates Union Army soldiers and sailors. They served in the American Civil War. This monument is not just stone and marble. It’s a symbol of a nation’s gratitude.
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument faced many challenges before it was built. First suggested in 1869, progress stalled. It wasn’t until 1893, amidst a wave of Civil War nostalgia, that things moved forward. The New York State legislature formed a board to oversee its creation.
Finding the right spot proved difficult. Disputes among city organizations caused delays. Original plans called for a location at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue. Another proposal suggested Mount Tom at 83rd Street and Riverside Drive. The final selection required a redesign of the winning monument.
Ground was finally broken on September 21, 1900. City Council President Randolph Guggenheimer turned the first spadeful of dirt. About 200 people attended the ceremony. The first stone was laid in January 1901. The cornerstone bore a simple message. It said that the monument was erected by the citizens of New York. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1902. President Theodore Roosevelt officiated. A parade of Civil War veterans marched up Riverside Drive. After that, the monument was unveiled. The memorial bears the inscription. It reads To the memory of the brave soldiers and sailors who saved the Union. The monument cost $300000 to build.
Charles and Arthur Stoughton designed the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument after winning a public competition. Their design was known as the Temple of Fame. Paul E. M. Duboy carved the ornamental features. The monument is based on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. It features a peripteral Corinthian temple. It stands on a high base with Corinthian columns. Plinths at the entrance list New York volunteer regiments. They also list the battles in which they fought, as well as Union generals.
Even by 1907, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument needed repair. Marble slabs threatened to fall. The building leaked badly. Cement fell from the walls and ceiling. Stone was chipped in many places. Mayor George B. McClellan Jr. requested $20000 for repairs.
A major change occurred in the 1930s. The plaza’s yellow brick was replaced. Orange-colored stone became the new standard. In 1962, the city spent over $1 million on repairs. A new roof was installed. More durable granite replaced parts of the monument.
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument became a New York City landmark in 1976. It became a New York state landmark in 2001. Deterioration continued. A $1.2 million restoration was proposed in 2002. The plan to restore the steps and sidewalks failed.
In 2024, drones surveyed the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. It’s all part of the $62 million restoration project. Mayor Eric Adams allocated these funds. This restoration is bringing back its original glory.
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument measures about 100 feet tall and 50 feet deep. The exterior colonnade carries a frieze. It reads To the memory of the Brave Soldiers and Sailors Who Saved the Union. Eagles and cartouches adorn the cornice. The monument ends in a low conical roof. It’s crowned by a decorated marble finial. This monument stands as a powerful reminder. It reminds us of sacrifice and unity. It embodies the spirit of a nation forever grateful.