Soldiers And Sailors Monument example essay topic

Located at the center of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis is the historic Soldiers and Sailors Monument. This monument standing around three hundred feet tall is not only the site of many concerts and festivals, but is also a reminder to all of the men who fought to defend our country. This Monument was built in honor of Indiana's heroes that died in the War for the Union (1861-65), War with Mexico (1846-48), Indian and British Wars (1811-1812), War of the Revolution, and America capturing Vincennes from the British. The State had talked of building a war monument, but it wasn't until 1875 that a Monument Association was formed. One thousand dollars was raised, but no real progress took place. Two years later Governor Oliver P. Morton died and a sculpture of him was placed in the center of Circle Park, known today as Monument Circle.

Ten years later a bill was passed committing the State to build a monument in honor of the veterans of the Civil War. This was the first Civil War monument constructed to honor common soldiers. The memorial was to be built in Circle Park and a grant of two hundred thousand dollars was set aside for the project. An international architectural competition was held in order to find the design for the Monument. Advertisements were placed in the United States, Canada, England, France, Germany, and Italy.

The commissioners awarded Bruno Schmitz of Berlin the job of building the monument... He was then invited to Indianapolis. In February 1888 Schmitz was appointed as the supervising architect over the project. Work progressed, and finally on August 22, 1889, the cornerstone was laid. Within the stone is a box containing a list of Indiana soldiers who fought in the Civil War, and a few pictures. The inscription on the outside of the cornerstone reads as follows, "August 22, 1889 ERECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA Act of General Assembly March 3, 1887".

The Monument is built from Indiana limestone and stands two hundred eighty- four feet and six inches tall. That is only fifteen feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument has thirty-two flights of stairs leading to an observation deck at the top. Seventy foot-long stairs were placed on the north and south sides for entrance to the Monument.

Fountains spouting a minimum of seven thousand gallons of water per minute are located on the east and west sides. Four brass candelabras were put at the corners of the fountains. Bruno Schmitz hire Rudolf Schwarz of Germany to sculpt the "war" and "peace" figures. On the west side of the monument is the "peace" sculpture. It consists of soldiers returning home, Liberty with her flag, and freed slaves. The east side of the Monument holds the "war" sculpture.

This sculpture shows charging infantry, a dying soldier, and in the center a goddess of war. These two sculptures along with many other brass and limestone ones help give meaning to the monument. A thirty-eight foot sculpture representing Victory stands at the top of the monument. In 1901, after fourteen long years of construction the Monument was finally complete.

This project ended up costing around six hundred thousand dollars. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was dedicated on May 15, 1902. John W. Foster who was the Secretary of State under Benjamin Harrison gave the speech, James Whitcomb Riley poems were read, and John Philip Sousa's march was played. All this was done in honor of Indian's fallen soldiers. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument has been a focus and symbol for the city of Indianapolis. This gorgeous structure not only honors the men who fought and died, but celebrates the beauty and creativity of sculptural artwork.

This Monument is a well known historical sight and neoclassical landmark. It is one of Indianapolis' most famous buildings, and is thought to be among the most outstanding monuments in the world. Not only is its architectural design amazing, but this Monument recognizes the many men who risked their lives in wars prior to World War I.

Bibliography

Crossroads of the American Dream, Lugar, Richard. Urban Tapestry Series, Indianapolis IN. 2001 Yesterdays Indiana, Troyer, Byron, E.A. See mann Publishing, Inc. Miami, Flor dia. 143 Soldiers and Sailors Monument-Indianapolis, web.