New Haven's Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument stands atop East Rock at an elevation of 366 feet and honors city residents who gave their lives in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. In 1882, the city appropriated $50,000 for its construction; although it was first planned for the town Green, Moffit & Doyle of New York City was chosen to design it and Smith & Sperry of New Haven to build it on East Rock. Construction began on June 17, 1886, and the first dedication ceremony was held on June 17, 1887, drawing as many as 175,000 spectators as a parade of 20,000 people marched to the summit, with General William Tecumseh Sherman and General Philip Henry Sheridan as guests of honor. The monument was rededicated on September 20, 1987, and again on October 16, 2010, after extensive rehabilitation of its exterior and interior. Its 11-foot, 5000-pound Angel of Peace overlooks New Haven holding an olive branch and a wreath as a symbol of peace, harmony, and hope. The 110-foot red granite shaft, built from stone from the Hallowell Granite Company in Maine, contains an iron staircase lit by five openings and is encircled at the base by 13 stars representing the original U.S. colonies, while four windows at the observation level look toward downtown, New Haven Harbor, Long Island Sound, and Long Island. The pedestal carries four bronze bas-relief sculptures depicting scenes from the four wars, including Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown, Winfield Scott entering Mexico City, and Commodore Perry on Lake Erie, and four bronze female figures personify History, Patriotism, Victory, and Prosperity.

Photo: Conrad Ward