Confederate Monument (Gulfport, Mississippi) facts for kids
Confederate Monument (2017)
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| Location | Gulfport, Mississippi |
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| Material | Bronze Granite |
| Height | 25 feet (7.6 m) |
| Dedicated to | The Confederate States of America |
The Confederate Monument in Gulfport, Mississippi is a monument built to remember Confederate soldiers. These soldiers fought during the American Civil War. The monument was officially opened in 1911. It stands on the grounds of the Harrison County Courthouse.
History of the Monument
The idea for a Confederate monument in Harrison County, Mississippi came from a local group. This group was called the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). The UDC was very active in building many Confederate monuments during the early 1900s. This was after the Reconstruction era and before World War I.
The monument built in Gulfport, Mississippi, which is the main town of Harrison County, looks like many others from that time. Plans for the monument were finished in September 1911. The local UDC group raised $1,500 for it. The Harrison County Board of supervisors added another $1,000. The total cost to build the monument was $3,500. Other UDC groups nearby also helped with funding.
At first, some people wanted the monument to be in front of the town's Federal building. But a sewer line there made that impossible. So, the monument was built in front of the Harrison County Courthouse instead.
The UDC had planned a big event to show the monument on October 12, 1911. However, there were delays in shipping the monument parts. Because of this, the official dedication happened later. It took place on November 23, which was Thanksgiving Day that year.
Several years later, the original courthouse was taken down. A new courthouse was built in a different spot. The monument was then moved to the grounds of this new courthouse.
Recent Discussions About the Monument
In recent years, there have been talks about removing Confederate monuments. People have also called for the Gulfport monument to be moved or taken down. In December 2020, the Harrison County Board of Supervisors voted on this issue. They discussed whether to keep or remove the statue from the courthouse grounds.
The vote ended in a 2-2 tie, with one supervisor not present. Since there was no clear majority, the statue remains in its current location.
Design and Appearance
The monument stands about 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall. It features a bronze statue of a Confederate soldier. The soldier is standing in a pose called "parade rest." This means he is standing relaxed but ready, with his hands resting on his rifle. The statue sits on top of a tall granite shaft and base.
On the front of the shaft, there is a picture of an unfurled Confederate battle flag. The base of the monument has several messages carved into it. These include "In Memory of Our Confederate Dead" and "Lest We Forget." The years "1861–1865" are also inscribed, marking the years of the American Civil War.
