Monument Square (Portland, Maine) facts for kids
Monument Square is a popular town square in Portland, Maine. It's a busy spot where several important buildings are located. You can find the Time and Temperature Building, the Fidelity Trust Building, and the main Portland Public Library branch nearby. Other buildings like One Monument Square and One City Center are right on the square.
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The Portland Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Right in the middle of Monument Square, you'll see the Portland Soldiers and Sailors Monument. This monument was officially opened on October 28, 1891. It honors the brave soldiers from the U.S. Army and sailors from the U.S. Navy from Portland who gave their lives during the American Civil War.
What the Monument Looks Like
The monument is also known as "Our Lady of Victories." It features a bronze statue on top of a granite base. The statue shows a female figure dressed in armor and flowing robes. She holds a furled flag in one hand and a mace and shield in the other. This figure represents "Victory." On two sides of the base, there are bronze groups of three figures, one showing soldiers and the other showing sailors.
Who Created the Monument
A talented sculptor from Maine named Franklin Simmons created the statue. The granite base was designed by New York City architect Richard Morris Hunt. The area around the monument was first designed by Portland architect Francis H. Fassett, though it looks different today. Money for the monument was raised by a local group called the Grand Army of the Republic. This important monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 1, 1998.
Portland's First City Hall
Before Portland became a city in 1832, it built its first town hall in 1825. This building was used for 63 years and was also known as Market Hall and Military Hall. In 1833, the building was updated by Charles Quincy Clapp. He removed a small tower from the roof and added a grand entrance with columns, giving it a Greek Revival style.
What Was Inside the Old City Hall
In 1827, the top floor of the building became the second public gym in the United States! It was started by a unique writer named John Neal. The gym taught a type of gymnastics called Turnen, which Neal learned in London. In its early years, the first floor of the building had stalls where farmers sold their fresh produce. This old city hall was replaced by a new one in 1862. The original building was taken down in 1888, and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was built in its place. That's when Market Square became known as Monument Square.
