Paula Henry

This is the top of the main-content

Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis

January 3rd, 2008 categories: Indy Trivia

Do you know why the Soldiers and Sailors Monument faces south?

Soldiers and Sailors Monument, an Indianapolis landmark, is located in the center of the circle in Downtown Indianapolis.

The monument was commissioned in 1888, and was erected to to honor Indiana’s Civil War veterans. Made from Indiana limestone, the monument was completed in 1901 at a cost of $600,000.

SoldiersandsailorsmonumentAt the time the monument was constructed, the primary mode of transportation was the rail raod. The train station lies to the south of the city of Indianapolis, so the Statue faces the train station, watching and waiting to welcome home returning soldiers.

It’s sword represents victory

It’s torch represents the light of civilization

It’s Eagle represents freedom

From “A Circle City History” by Jeffrey Tenuth, 2004

Tags: ,

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 at 12:40 am and is filed under Indy Trivia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  1. Ashley Gephardt said at January 28th, 2008 at 1:28 am

    I enjoy hearing the history of local monuments. It gives an area “flavor”! - Ashley

Leave a Reply