Soldier’s Monument

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Soldier’s Monument. While originally placed in the center of the Park Circle, with the soldier atop facing West Main Street, it served as the centerpiece to many a Memorial Day event in Angelica. According to the June 1924 edition of the Angelica Advocate, “the monument was unveiled by Mrs. George Graham, the oldest member of the Relief Corps and little Miss Marie Hoffman, the youngest member. Senator John Knight made the dedicatory address and D.D. Dickson gave a short talk.” The Angelica Advocate chronicled the fundraising efforts for the $2575 needed and that “two years later the last payment was made, earned by the serving of a 4th of July dinner.” The monument was moved to the Until the Day Dawn’s Cemetery in October 1949, where it remains a focal point of modern-day Memorial Day events. An October 1949 edition of the Angelica Advocate stated it was “placed on the east side of the cemetery partly up the hill and looks very well with a background of evergreens.” It went on to comment that “the monument will be missed from its accustomed place, but in many ways its present location seems more appropriate.” The monument description reads, “On the face of the monument we find the dates 1861-65, on the back 1917-18, with appropriate emblems above the dates. The American Legion will no doubt wish to add dates… .” The accompanying photo was taken during a Memorial Day event in the mid-1930’s.