Stand in the tablet room at Cleveland’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument and view the list of around 9,000 local soldiers who fought in America’s Civil War. Admire the bronze reliefs depicting various scenes from the war or take a tour to explore the tunnels underneath the building, which some say are haunted.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was constructed in 1894 after nearly 15 years of planning. It is Cleveland’s major monument to the Civil war. Towering 125 feet (38 meters) above Public Square, it’s one of the most distinctive structures in the town center.
Stand before the monument and your eye will naturally be drawn to the 15-foot (4.5-meter) statue of Lady Liberty on the top. The column on which she stands is divided into six strips, each one engraved with the name of a significant Civil War Battle. Look for the four bronze sculptures at the foot of the statue. The statues represent the infantry, the cavalry, the navy and the artillery.
Inside the wide base of the memorial you will find a tablet room. As well as listing all the names of the Cuyahoga County soldiers who fought in the war, this room doubles as a museum, featuring information about the war and how it affected the area. Note the four bronze reliefs on the wall, which depict different scenes from the conflict. Works include The Emancipation of the Slaves and The Beginning of War in Ohio.
Find out more about the memorial and its significance by taking one of the regular free guided tours. These will take you into the tunnels that run beneath the memorial and tell you why some people believe them to be haunted.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is located in the southeast corner of Public Square. There is metered parking nearby. It is free to enter and is open throughout the year. Opening days and times vary, so check locally for the best times to go.
