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Soldiers Monument - Mercer
Next
to the Courthouse
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| Mercer County's Tribute to Her Soldiers 1861 -1865 |
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Soldiers’ Monument, which stands on the east side of the
public square
at Mercer, was dedicated November 11, 1897. “Mercer County’s Tribute to
Her Soldiers,” is the inscription on its face. The monument is cut from
light Barre granite. The base is 11 by is feet, and the height from the
foundation to top of flagstaff is forty feet. The figures on either
side of the shaft represent the artillery and cavalry branches of
service, and surmounting the shaft are figures showing peace crowning
victory. This monument was built under the law empowering the county
commissioners to erect such a memorial upon petition from a specified
number of tax-payers. Seven thousand dollars was appropriated for the
purpose. The celebration at the dedication of the monument was one of
the notable gatherings of people at the county seat. Judge S. H. Miller
was president of the day and presented the monument from the
commissioners to the citizens. Hon. James A. Stranahan replied on
behalf of the citizens. Other prominent citizens participated. Each
township and borough in the county was represented by a vice-president.
(Source:
20th Century History of Mercer
County, 1909, Vol. I, pg. 190 |
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Looking
toward the Courthouse
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Close up
of the inscription
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Back view
from the Courthouse
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Newspaper
Article from
1894 on
the "Proposed Monument"
Click image to enlarge
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How the
monument looked when it was new
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The
monument during the 1920s - 1930s.
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Close up
of the top of the monument
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 Plaque
listing the Mercer County companies involved in the Civil War
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| The
Soldier's Monument was dedicated on 11 Nov 1897. It was
cleaned
and restored and then re- dedicated on 11 Nov 1988. Then, it
was
re-dedicated (again by the Western PA Civil War Re- enactors
Society on 10 Nov 1997. (Source:
On
This Day in Mercer County History, Mercer County Historical Society)
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