Firemen's Monument (Hoboken, New Jersey) facts for kids
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Firemen’s Monument
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In 2012
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 Location in Hudson County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Church Square Park, Hoboken, New Jersey |
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| Area | less than one acre Social History, Art |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | Caspar Buberl - Sculptor J.W. Fiske - Caster |
| MPS | Hoboken Firehouses and Firemen's Monument TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003454 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 30, 1986 |
The Firemen's Monument is a tall statue in Hoboken, New Jersey. It stands 28 feet (about 8.5 meters) high. The famous sculptor Caspar Buberl designed it. The monument was finished in 1891. It was built to honor the Volunteer Fire Department in Hoboken. You can find it in Church Square Park.
History of the Monument
Long ago, in the 1800s, people started putting statues of firefighters in cemeteries. These statues honored firefighters who died while on duty. Later, monuments were placed in public parks. This made them easier for everyone to see.
The monument in Hoboken was built for a special reason. In 1891, firefighting in the city changed. It stopped being a volunteer job. Instead, firefighters became paid professionals. This monument celebrates the end of the volunteer era.
Many early statues were made from marble. But the Firemen's Monument in Hoboken is different. It was sculpted using zinc. Then it was cast in bronze by Caspar Buberl. The company J.W. Fiske sold these statues.
What the Monument Looks Like
The Firemen's Monument stands in Church Square Park. You can find it at Garden Street and 5th Street. The statue sits on top of a 20-foot (about 6-meter) granite base. This base has cool designs. You can see emblems of a ladder, pike poles, and a fire hose.
The statue itself is about 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. It shows a firefighter with a mustache. He is wearing his uniform. In his left arm, he holds a small child in a nightdress. In his right hand, he holds a lantern. Some people think this pose is like statues of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus.
The monument has a special message carved into it. It reads:
Erected by the citizens of Hoboken, N.J. in honor of the volunteer fire dept. May 30th 1891.
This means the people of Hoboken built it to honor their volunteer firefighters.
Its Importance Today
Hoboken has a lot of history. It has many places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of this, a special tour happens every year. This tour often starts at the Firemen's Monument.
The monument has become even more important over time. After the September 11 attacks, many firefighters lost their lives. Hoboken had a clear view of these events. This made people appreciate these firefighter statues even more. They remind everyone of the bravery of firefighters.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a los Bomberos (Hoboken) para niños
