Soldiers & Sailors Monument, Wilmington

The Soldiers & Sailors Monument, also known as the Civil War Monument, stands at the intersection of Broom Street and two merging thoroughfares in Wilmington. Erected around 1870, it was the city’s first public monument and remains a powerful tribute to Delawareans who lost their lives in the Civil War. Over time, its meaning has expanded to commemorate the fallen of all U.S. wars. The Wilmington Memorial Day Parade traditionally concludes at this site, underscoring its enduring role in civic remembrance.

The monument itself incorporates a unique piece of American architectural history-a salvaged column from the demolished Bank of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, originally designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Thanks to the efforts of Civil War veteran Albert S. Nones and U.S. Congressman Charles O’Neill, the column was repurposed as the core of Delaware’s only Civil War memorial, with architectural design by Alfred B. Mullett. Atop the column, a bronze globe and eagle-symbolizing the Union’s victory over rebellion-were crafted locally by the Pusey and Jones Company using bronze from a donated cannon.

Despite the initial fanfare of its 1871 dedication by General Oliver O. Howard of the Freedman’s Bureau, the monument faced early financial troubles, at one point even being seized by the sheriff due to unpaid debts. In 1893, William du Pont enclosed the area with granite coping stones, officially naming it Monument Place. The site received a modern landscaping update in 1978 by Edward Bachtle, and its setting remains rich in architectural interest, surrounded by homes from the late 19th century.

Today, the monument offers a quiet space for reflection and remembrance. It stands not only as a testament to the military service of Delawareans, but also as a layered artifact of national history-blending local pride, architectural legacy, and evolving civic memory.