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Leominster Monuments
I will be adding the names of the soldiers listed on the monuments
1866 - Civil War Monument
1903 - Willard Memorial Fountain
1904 - First Meeting-House Monument
1906 - Oliver Carter Monument
1910 - Site of First House Monument
1911 - First Burial Ground Marker
1912 - Elizabeth Rugg Monument
1915 - Second Meeting-House Monument
1917 - Old Indian Mortar
1929 - Spanish American War Monument
1929 - World War Memorial
1931 - Veterans of Foreign Wars Gun
1940 - James Gordon Carter Monument
1962 - Police Department Memorial
1963 - John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) Marker
1966 - Public Library Marker
1973 - Veterans Monument (Bell)
1978 - Fire Fighters Memorial
1990 - Vietnam Memorial - Leominster Servicemen Killed in Action in
Vietnam.
1998 - Sculpture of Oliver E. HAZARD, 1836 - 1896
1866 - Civil War Monument
(Soldier's Monument)
Located at Monument Square Between Main and Central St.
This monument is a tribute to the memory of those Soldiers who have filled the Town quota, and who have died in defence of Human Rights and the Suppression of the Southern Revellion. [1]
The Committee to erect the Monument was appointed in the spring of 1866. It was first proposed to erect the Monument "within the enclosure on the Common;" but in December 1866, the present location "on that part of the Common in front of the hotel," (the hotel then standing on the corner of Pleasant Street) was decided upon.
The Monument is of Quincy granite, rising 23 1/2 feet from a base, 6 feet and 10 feet square bearing, on the first stone above the base, inscriptions in raised letters on four sides, Gettysburg, Port Hudson, Ball's Bluff and Knoxville. These were the more important battles in which Leominster soldiers took part. Above this stone is the die, upon the four sides of which are enscribed the names of Leominster's fallen heroes, and above the die a handsome obelisk with stars represented near the top. [2]
The Monument was designed by Frederick and Field. It was completed and formally dedicated September 12, 1867. [3]
1903 - Willard Memorial Fountain
Located Carter Park, Main and Summer Streets
Inscription on Monument "Willard Memorial presented to the
Town of Leominster by Women's Christian Temperance Union, 1903."
The Willard Memorial Fountain was designed and made
by John Yule.
Base - Faced New Hampshire Granite
Die - Quincy Marble
Basin - New Hampshire Granite
Ball - Polished Quincy Marble **
It was presented to the Town of Leominster at a dedication
ceremony on June 24, 1903. [4]
This monument bears witness to the existence of the Women's
Christian Temperence Union which existed in Leominster. The name "Willard
Memorial" refers to Frances Willard, the first leader of the Temperance Movement.
[5]
**The ball of polished Quincy marble was removed by vandals several years ago and have never been found. [6]
1904 - First Meeting-House Monument
Located Pine Grove Cemetery, Main and Tremain Streets
"Site of the First Meeting-House, built 1741-53. Town meetings were held in it for one third of a century. Nearby was the first schoolhouse built 1749. During the Revolution no money was raised for schools. Erected by Capt. John Joslin, Jr., Chapter D.A.R. 1904." [7]
1906 - Oliver Carter Monument
Located Carter Park, Main and Summer Streets
"This land was given to the Town of Leominster by Oliver Carter in 1754 for a training field or perpetual common. The soldiers of the American Revolution marched from this place. Erected by Captain John Joslin, Jr., Chapter D.A.R. 1906." [10]
1910 - Site of First House Monument
Located on the Old Road, Off Hill Street
"Near this spot Gershom Houghton built the First House in Town in 1725. Erected by Leominster Historical Society."
1911 - First Burial Ground Marker
Located Main and Day Streets
"This stone erected by Leominster Historical Society marks the site of the first burial ground in Leominster."
1912 - Elizabeth Rugg Monument
Located Pine Grove Cemetery, Main and Tremain Streets
"Elizabeth Rugg, wife of Gershom Houghton and Daniel Knight, died February ye 13th 1799. Mr. and Mrs. Houghton were the first settlers of Leominster. This stone erected by the Leominster Historical Society, 1912."
1915 - Second Meeting-House Monument
Located on the Common, Monument Square
"Site of the Second Meeting-House in Leominster, built in 1775. Taken down July 4, 1824. Rebuilt for the first town-house. This table presented to the town by Leominster Historical Society on the 175th anniversary of incorporation of Leominster, 1915." [19]
1917 - Old Indian Mortar
Located on the Common, Monument Square
"Old Indian Mortar found by Whitney Gates, 1880. Presented to the Town. Placed here by the Leominster Historical Society, 1917." [21]
1929 - Spanish-American War Monument
Located on the Common, Monument Square
"Dedicated by the City of Leominster to the honor of her sons who served in the Army and Navy of the United States during the Spanish American War, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition 1892 - 1902."
1929 - World War Memorial
Located on the Common, Monument Square
1931 - Veterans of Foreign Wars Gun
Located Carter Park, Main and Summer Streets
"Presented to the City of Leominster by Post #1807 Veterans of Foreign Wars, September 13, 1931."
1940 - James Gordon Carter Monument
Located Granite Street
"Near the spot was born James Gordon Carter, September 7, 1795 - July 22, 1849. Pioneer in teacher training in America. Father of Massachusetts State Board of Education. Leominster Bi-Centennial Committee 1740 -1940." [28]
1962 - Police Department Memorial
Located Police Station, Church Street
"Dedicated to the deceased members of the Police Department of Leominster, Massachusetts. Those unsung heroes who down through the years gave their time, strength and effort to protect lives and property, preserves the Law and otherwise promote peace and happiness in our fair City. Police Wives Association. June 3, 1962." [31]
1963 - John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) Marker
Located Johnny Appleseed Lane
"Near the site was born John Chapman known as Johnny Appleseed, September 26, 1774 - March 18, 1845. The Leominster Historical Society 1963." (On the back) "Located by Florence Wheeler 1935." [33]
1966 - Public Library Marker
Located 30 West Street
"Leominster Public Library" A simple, granite boulder with a bronze plaque set on the front face. The Leominster Rotary Club #1984 erected this monument in 1967 on the Library lawn, and hung a marker on the wall in the Library noting these facts.
This monument marks the location of the Leominster Public Library built in 1910, and the addition dated 1966. [37]
The root of the Leominster Public Library began in the year 1763 with a small group of people in the Town of about eight hundred, buying one hundred books and was known as the Leominster Social Library. [38]
In 1853 an unsuccessful attempt was made to establish a public library, but it was followed by a successful one in 1856. [39]
1973 - Veterans Monument (Bell)
Located on the Common, Monument Square
Plaque on front - "Dedicated to all who served honorably during World
War II."
Plaque on right - "Dedicated to all who served honorably during Korean
Conflict."
Plaque on left - "Dedicated to all who served honorably during Viet-nom
Era."
Inscription on Bell - "Cast by Henry N. Hooper and Company. Presented
to the Town of Leominster by Jonas Henry Kendall Esqr. AD 1860."
[40]
1978 - Fire Fighters Memorial
Located on the Common, Monument Square
"In memory of Leominster firefighters who dedicated
their lives to protect the lives of others."
1990 - Vietnam Memorial
Located on the Common, Monument Square
Leominster Servicemen Killed in Action in Vietnam. Dedicated 6/16/1990 - V.V.A. Chapter 116
1998 - Sculpture of Oliver E. HAZARD, 1836 - 1896
Located in Carter Park
Oliver E. Hazard served with the 54th Massachusetts colored infantry, who earned their nick name, Swamp Angel, by marching all day and night across marshy James Island to participate in the assault on Ft. Wagner. The Swamp Angels showed great heroism and courage in the face of the enemy. This sculture is a tribute to their courage. This memorial is dedicated to honoring the memory of all Leominster soldiers who served with courage for Freedom and Justice. Sculpted by Phil Cote of Sterling, MA.
Information from: Leominster's Monuments, Photo - History, By Evelyn B. Hachey, 1984 and some I am acquiring myself by visiting the monuments.
NOTES:
1. Leominster's Town and City Records, City Hall, Leominster,
MA.
2. Leominster, MA - Historical and Picturesque by William
A. Emerson - Published by Lithotype Publishing Company, Gardner, MA. Page
108 - 109.
3. Leominster Historical Commission Records - City Hall, Leominster,
MA.
4. Leominster Enterprise - June 25, 1903.
5. Leaders of the 19th Century - Hampden Publishing Company, Springfield,
MA. Frances Willard, The Apostle of Temperance, page 243.
6. see 3
7. Leominster Historical Society Records, Field Museum, Leominster,
MA.
8. see 7
9. see 1
10. John Joslin Jr. Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Records.
11. Leominster Enterprise - October 18, 1906.
12. Program - Dedication of Monument - Printed by Boutwell and Co. Printers,
Leominster, MA
13. see 7
14. Papers Read at Meetings by Members, September 1933.
Leominster Historical Society, Leominster, MA
15. see 13
16. The General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 114 - Section
18.
17. Historical Society Records, May 1912. Leominster,
MA.
18. Leominster Historical Commission, City Hall, Form 911, Leominster,
MA.
19. 175th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet 1915. Printed by Leominster
Enterprise. Page 10. Leominster, MA.
20. see 3
21. Leominster Enterprise - May 17, 1917.
22. Leominster's 200th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet. 1740
- 1940.
23. Leominster Enterprise - November 12, 1929.
24. Program - Dedication Exercise. November 11, 1929.
Leominster, MA.
25. see 24
26. Leominster Historical Commission. City Hall. Form
906, Leominster, MA.
27. Leominster Enterprise - September 12, 1931.
28. see 22
29. Robert C. Laserte, "James Gordon Carter" The Clearing
House Vol. 23, Number 8, April 1949.
30. Old South Church leaflet, Old South Church, Boston, MA.
Carter, James Gordon, "Essays on the Schools of Mass. in 1824."
31. Leominster Historical Commission Records. Form 909.
City Hall, Leominster, MA.
32. Leominster Enterprise - June 2, 1962.
33. Research Papers by Miss Florence Wheeler, Librarian, Leominster
Public Library, Leominster, MA.
34. "Leominsters Own John Chapman" by Evelyn B. Hachey.
35. see 7
36. see 22
37. see 1
38. Leominster Public Library, Historical Collection, Leominster,
MA.
39. see 1
40. Dedication Program, November 11, 1973. Leominster Historical
Commission, Leominster, MA
41. see 1
42. Interview - Gregg Hathaway, Chairman of Committee to establish
Firefighters Memorial on Common. Leominster Firefighters
Association.
43. Leominster Historical Commission Records. Form 907. City Hall,
Leominster, MA.
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The page created November 7, 1998 and maintained by Sue Gardner, Leominster, MA (SueG476@aol.com)
Last Update - November 14, 1998
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