Soldier's Monument (Davenport, Iowa) facts for kids
|
Soldier's Monument
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 1100 Main St. Davenport, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1880-1881 |
| Architect | R.J. Carver |
| Part of | College Square Historic District (ID83003628) |
| MPS | Davenport MRA |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 18, 1983 |
The Soldier's Monument is an important historical landmark in Davenport, Iowa, USA. It stands in the College Square Historic District, which became a recognized historic place in 1983. This monument was built a long time ago, between 1880 and 1881. It was also added to the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1993.
Contents
History of the Monument
Why the Monument Was Built
The idea for a monument started in 1865. This was right after President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. A group was formed to create a monument to honor him. This group was called the Lincoln Monument Association.
For six years, the association collected money. They gathered $529.25, and with interest, they had $707.40. Then, a man named Nicholas Fejervary offered to donate $1,300. He had one condition: the monument should honor the soldiers from Scott County who died in the American Civil War. The association agreed, and more donations started coming in.
Building and Dedicating the Monument
The association hired R.J. Carver from Vermont to design the monument. His design was approved on June 5, 1880. They chose a spot in the middle of Main Street. This spot was between Grace Cathedral (now Trinity Cathedral) and Griswold College. Griswold College is now the campus of Davenport Central High School.
The monument cost $8,000 to build. Construction took place from 1880 to 1881. It was officially dedicated on July 4, 1881. On January 15, 1906, the monument was given to the city of Davenport. For many years, patriotic groups held ceremonies there. These ceremonies took place every Memorial Day.
What the Monument Looks Like
Shape and Size
The Soldier's Monument is an obelisk. An obelisk is a tall, four-sided pillar that tapers to a pyramid shape at the top. It is made of English Granite and stands 50 feet (15 m) tall.
At the very top of the obelisk is a statue of a Union soldier. This soldier faces south, looking towards the Mississippi River below. The statue itself is 8 feet (2.4 m) tall. The base of the monument is 17.5 feet (5.3 m) square. It has extra supports at each corner. The monument's foundation goes at least 7 feet (2.1 m) into the ground. It is made of Nauvoo stone and sits on a cement floor.
Messages and Symbols
There are four panels with special messages on each side of the monument.
- The south panel says: "Erected by Grateful Citizens of Scott County In Memory of the Fellow Citizens who Died in Defense of the Union 1861-5".
- The west panel has a quote from General Henry Halleck: "Proved themselves the Bravest of the Brave".
- The north panel features words from Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address: "They died, that the government of the People, by the People and for the People might not perish from the Earth."
- The east panel quotes Inspector General W. E. Strong: "An Honor to their Friends at Home, to their State and their Country * * * a Terror to their Foes."
The lower part of the monument has bas reliefs. These are carvings that stick out slightly from the surface. They show different military symbols:
- South side: The coat of arms of the United States.
- West side: Crossed sabers, a belt, cartridges, and revolvers, representing the cavalry (soldiers on horseback).
- North side: Crossed cannons, representing the artillery (soldiers who use large guns).
- East side: An anchor and a shot, representing the navy (soldiers who fight on ships).
Above these symbols, on the first part of the column, are wreaths. Each wreath has a special meaning:
- Over the U.S. coat of arms: Laurel, meaning joy.
- Over the cavalry symbols: Ivy, meaning lasting remembrance.
- Over the artillery symbols: Oak, meaning strength.
- Over the naval symbols: Olive, meaning peace.
On the next two sections of the column, you can find the names of battles. These are battles where local soldiers from Scott County fought. Some of the battles listed are: Shiloh, Donelson, Iuka, Wilsons Creek, Fort Blakely, Corinth, Prairie Grove, and Vicksburg.
The very top of the column has a capstone with a shield and carvings. Above this capstone is a pedestal. This pedestal holds the statue of the soldier, who represents the infantry (foot soldiers). At one time, an iron fence surrounded the monument.
