Soldiers and Sailors Monument

This is a waymark write up on the monument we were at last weekend.

N 39° 46.111 W 086° 09.483

This monument is large. City-block large. It occupies the entire center of a fairly decent-sized roundabout. Fountains, statues, the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum (since 1999) (closed when I visited) - all in a 342 foot diamater circular plaza.

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is built of Indiana Oolitic limestone from Terre Haute Stone Company quarries at Stinesville, IN. Its total height is 284 ft. 6 in. (15 ft. shorter than the Statue of Liberty). 32 flights of stairs with 330 steps lead to the observation deck. An elevator was installed and began carrying the public to the top in April 1894. The museum is in the basement of the monument, and tells the story of the Civil War, including that of the 1st German regiment (32nd Volunteer Infantry). There is also a glassed-in observation area near the top of the monument, and an elevator to get you there, should you visit when the Civil War exhibit is open.

The monument itself was completed in 1901. It has held up admirably well through time - the carvings and statues are still crisp, clean, and very readable. While it was, in fact, dedicated to all of Indiana's heroes who died in war before 1902, it was "Erected as a memorial to the soldiers and sailors of the War for the Union..." I found the wording of the memorial interesting - I usually don't see the War Between the States / Civil War referred to in that way, but that's exactly what it was for so many people.

It's primarily of German construction, having been designed by Bruno Schmitz, one of Germany's foremost architects of national monuments. The limestone sculptures were designed and created by sculptor Rudolf Schwarz, of Vienna.

The bronzework above the main part of the "base sculptures" is called an "Army Astragal sculpture band". It was designed by Nicolaus Geiger of Berlin, and was manufactured in Berlin along with the eight candelabra around the memorial.

This monument, while primarily dedicated to commemorating the War for the Union, also commemorates the War with Mexico (1846-48), Indian and British Wars (1811-12), War of the Revolution and the capture of Vincennes from the British on February 25, 1779. The wars it commemorates are engraved on two side panels, one on the North side of the monument, with sculptures representing Artillery and Navy, and honoring soldiers of the War with Mexico, Indian & British Wars, Revolutionary War, and Vincennes, and the other, with the Civil War plaque and 2 sculptures representing Infantry and Cavalry, on the South side. The top bronze band of the monument contains two dates - 1861 and 1865, obviously commemorating the start and end dates of the Civil War.

The West side has a large "statuary group" representing "Peace". In the center of the group, Liberty holds the flag, with the angel of peace above, holding the wreath of victory and an olive branch. Soldiers are returning, and a former slave holds up broken chains. In front of, and below, the "Peace" display is a limestone sculpture called "The Return Home".

The east side statuary group represents "War", with a battle scene showing cavalry, charging infantry, and artillery. In the center the goddess of war urges on the charge, while Columbia in the background holds high the Stars and Stripes. Below, and to the front, of the "war" group is again a limestone sculpture, this one called "The Dying Soldier."

The Astragals (there are 3) are, from bottom to top, representing the Army, showing the implements (and carnage) of war; representing the Navy, 12 feet above the Army astragal; and the 3rd, 80 feet above the Navy Astragal.

Topping the monument is a statue of "Victory". She holds a torch in her left hand, a sword with point resting on the globe in her right, and an eagle is perched on her head. The Torch is emblematic to the light of civilization. The young eagle atop her head represents freedom. Her right hand holds a sword, the point rests upon the globe, symbolizing the army to which victory was due. Victory faces south, supposedly to look over the vanquished battlefields of the South.

Monument Circle also is host to 4 bronze statues: Gen. George Rogers Clark, Gov. William Henry Harrison, Gov. James Whitcomb, and Gov. Oliver P. Morton commemorate four historical periods of Indiana development.

George Rogers Clark represents the War of the Revolution and the capture of Vincennes from the British on February 25, 1779. James Whitcomb represents the War with Mexico (1846-48). William H. Harrison represents the Battle of Tippecanoe and Indian and British Wars (1811-12). Governor Morton's statue represents the Civil War for the Union.

Each year, the monument is decorated at Christmas and becomes a giant "Christmas Tree". It is a very festive place year-round, however, and is a significant tourist attraction, landmark, and meeting place in Indianapolis.

Much of the information on this page was found on an IUPUI webpage dedicated to the monument.