John Paul Jones Memorial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John Paul Jones Memorial Park
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded by Newmarch St. and Hunter Ave., Kittery Foreside, Maine |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Sculptor | Bashka Paeff (memorial) |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001639 |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1998 |
John Paul Jones Memorial Park is a special place in Kittery, Maine. It was created in 1926 and is named after John Paul Jones, a famous naval hero from the American Revolutionary War. The park is located near the Memorial Bridge, which crosses the Piscataqua River.
At the heart of the park is a beautiful sculpture by Bashka Paeff. This artwork honors the brave soldiers and sailors from Maine. In 1998, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
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Exploring John Paul Jones Park
John Paul Jones Memorial Park is found in southern Kittery. It sits between Hunter and Newmarch Streets. These streets are part of U.S. Route 1, a major highway. The park is just north of the Piscataqua River.
The park is about 2 acres in size. It has a unique trapezoid shape. Most of the park is a flat, grassy area. You can see trees along its edges and a few scattered throughout.
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial
The most important feature in the park is the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial. This large sculpture was created by Bashka Paeff. It is made of gold bronze and set within a granite frame. The memorial sits on a stone plaza at the park's southern end. It stands as a tribute to the soldiers and sailors of Maine.
Other Important Memorials
Besides the main sculpture, the park has three other memorials. These were added after the park was first opened.
- The Sloop Ranger Monument: This monument honors the USS Ranger. This was John Paul Jones's first ship. The monument is a bronze tablet set in granite. It was first placed on Badger's Island in 1905. Later, in 1963, it was moved to this park.
- The Province of Maine Monument: This memorial is a bronze tablet. It is mounted on a round granite stand. It was placed in 1931. This monument remembers when the English Province of Maine was first created. This happened when Sir Ferdinando Gorges received its charter in 1635.
- United States Marine Corps Memorial: This memorial honors the United States Marine Corps. It was placed in the park in 1984.
How the Park Was Created
The creation of John Paul Jones Memorial Park is closely linked to the original Memorial Bridge. The bridge itself was built as a war memorial. It honored soldiers from both Maine and New Hampshire who served in World War I. The bridge was finished in 1923.
After the bridge was done, Governor Percival Baxter held a contest. He wanted a suitable memorial for the park. Bashka Paeff's first design was liked by Governor Baxter. However, the next governor, Ralph Owen Brewster, did not approve it. Paeff had to change her design. The memorial was finally placed in 1926.
In 1927, the state government officially named the park after John Paul Jones. This naming somewhat changed the original idea. The park was first meant to be a memorial for World War I soldiers.
