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| Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, St. Louis, Missouri |
Background on the
Memorial
Similar to citizens in many cities across the country, shortly after the end of World War I, the citizens of St. Louis began to contemplate how to honor their war dead. The initiative to
construct Soldiers' Memorial was proposed in 1919 and coincided with the formation of
the American Legion which was also founded in St. Louis. During this time, there was a push to
remake downtown St. Louis using the City Beautiful urban planning philosophy. The memorial was part of a massive civic development program that was to include the building of a Court House and Municipal Auditorium as well. The City of St. Louis officially adopted the plan in 1923 and put a bond issue up for vote to finance the project. In 1925, the city established
a Memorial Plaza commission to create the Memorial Plaza and Soldiers Memorial. Unfortunately, the millions of dollars raised in the bond
issue were not enough to fund all three buildings. The Court House and Municipal Auditorium were built, but the $6 million allotted for the Memorial only covered the cost to raze an African-American neighborhood and entertainment district on which the Memorial was to be built. As a result, the plans for the Memorial were put on hold. |
| Build the Court House Now, 1923 Bond Poster courtesy of NPS 2012 report |
The Great Depression and the construction of the Memorial
During the late 1920s and early 1930s, like the rest of the country, St. Louis was suffering through the Great Depression. Both public and private monies had dried up; so St. Louis Mayor, Bernard F. Dickman, approached President Roosevelt for federal funding for the Memorial. During this time, the Federal Government was funding numerous projects throughout the country to help Americans get back to work. The funding for the Memorial was approved (Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works project NO. 5098) and about $1 million was allocated for the creation of the memorial. On October 21, 1935, construction began on the Memorial.
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| Soldier's Memorial under construction courtesy of NPS 2012 report |
The Memorial Plaza Commission was comprised of eight architectural firms and two engineering firms. Mauran, Russel & Cromwell and the office of Preston J. Bradshaw were assigned to Soldiers Memorial. The firms original plans for the memorial were very grand and included an arch; and a large fountain, but these plans were scrapped for a design that fit the new budget. While the architects adjusted their plans, the Soldier’s Memorial Committee and the Memorial Plaza Committee worked on the Memorial’s ornamentation. Both committees were chaired by General E. J. Spencer, a veteran of both the Spanish American War and World War I.
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| Letter from the War Department dated August 2, 1935 |
General Spencer wanted to use captured military ordnances to embellish the Memorial and contacted the War Department to obtain these ordnances. Unfortunately, the only ones that were available were small mortars. This was not sufficient so that plan was scrapped. The committees decided to commission, St. Louis native, Walter Hancock, to create four sculptures instead.
The committees also decided to honor all branches of the military, and to list the sixteen most notable battles that Americans participated in during the War. Finally, the committee decided to honor all of the St. Louisans who died in the war. Their names were to be carved on a cenotaph, or empty tomb. In honor of their mothers, the ceiling above it features a gold star.
On October 14, 1936, President Roosevelt came to St. Louis to dedicate the Memorial . Below is a photograph from the dedication ceremony. The Museum officially opened on Memorial Day in 1938.
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| President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaking at Soldiers Memorial Dedication October 14, 1936 Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum |
The Memorial's Architectural Features
The neoclassical Memorial has numerous architectural features to include two exhibit halls that display artifacts from all wars and a recessed second floor that consists of an auditorium and office space. Below is information about and photographs of (taken by project staff) several of these architectural features.
The Cenotaph is made of black granite that rests upon limestone. Features the inscription "Those Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice" above the names of the 1075 St. Louisans who died in the war.
The ceiling above the cenotaph features a Gold Star Mother mosaic with red, gold and silver tile.
Four large sculptured, limestone figures, all of which feature Pegasus, flank the stairs of the Memorial. The two on the south side represent Courage and Vision and the two on the north side, represent Loyalty and Sacrifice.
Soldiers Memorial Today
Since its inception, the Memorial has experienced many hardships; but it has persevered. Today, it is not only a Memorial to the veterans of WWI but has become a symbol of honor for the veterans of all wars. In fact, it hosts one of the nation's largest Veterans Day parades every year. In addition, the Memorial Plaza plays an integral role in city life by hosting numerous events throughout the year on its grounds.
Recently, the Missouri History Museum and Memorial staff began the daunting task of cataloging the estimated 6000 artifacts that have been donated to the Memorial over the years. A private donor is funding the project which also includes upgrades to the facility. Below are images that features project and Missouri History Museum staff conducting the photo shoot.
Sources:
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum
The Soldiers Memorial Collection, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri
