The Yonkers Civil War Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument that stands in front of Philipse Manor
Hall at the corner of Warburton Avenue and Dock Street was erected on September
17, 1891 to “honor the men of Yonkers who fought to save the Union” in the Civil
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Honoring the Yonkers patriots of the Civil War was so significant that a book entitled “Yonkers in the Rebellion of 1861-1865” by Thomas Astley Atkins and John Wise Oliver was published in 1892. The book contained a “history of the erection to honor the men of Yonkers who fought to save the Union” and provided the information contained herein. The concept of a monument was first made by William Allen Butler in 1888, who subsequently appointed several prominent Yonkers citizens to the Yonkers Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Committee. In early 1889, the Committee had a fund of $98. By 1890, subscriptions brought the amount of $5,489. The fund was augmented when Mr. Butler offered what is today called a “matching grant” – that is, if subscriptions totaled a certain amount, he would match it. The match brought in an additional $2560. By the time negotiations to build the monument were entered into with George Mitchell of Chicago, donations had totaled $10,500.
Standard-Bearer (Granite ),
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 "Endurance" (Artillery) |
 "Valor" (Cavalry) |
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 "Courage" (Sailor) |
 "Patriotism" (Infantry) |
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The specifications listed five pieces of statuary representing the “Infantry Soldier, Sailor, Artillery, Cavalry and the Standard-Bearer on Top,” with the first four figures done in bronze and the Standard-Bearer done in granite. Each statue around the base was given an attribute: endurance, valor, courage and patriotism. Mottos, chosen from quotes by General Grant and Abraham Lincoln, among others, were engraved around the base.
Other fundraising fairs were held at what was then the National Guard Armory on Waverly Street (now the Polish Community Center) and the Music Hall (on Warburton Avenue adjacent to the Manor Hall, since demolished). The total was now $11,026. On December 28, 1890, the fund was considered sufficient and all fundraising efforts were closed. It seems incredible that inflation has created an economy that requires almost double the original cost of the monument to restore it.
On June 1, 1891, the four bronze statues arrived in Yonkers from Chicago; on June 2, the granite Standard-Bearer arrived from Vermont. On June 27, 1891, the cornerstone was laid on Manor Hall grounds. The copper box made for the corner stone was made by Thomas McVicar (still in business across the street from the Manor Hall). An address was made that day by Committee President Charles E. Gorton (after whom Gorton High School is named). His remarks seem to especially resonate today:
“…there was never a time more appropriate than the present to rear testimonials to the soldiers and sailors who fought to save the Union…This Monument… will… be more than a history. It will commemorate the valor of the defenders of their land. It will also inspire with patriotism those who are to come after us. Long hence, it will look down on men with hearts as loyal and arms as strong as they who went forth to battle…May the Monument that is to rise overlook for all time, a loyal, united peaceful people…”
The restoration of the Monument in the summer of 2002 parallels our renewed patriotism in light of the September 11 attacks. Once more, the citizens of Yonkers are rallying together to honor the victims, the heroes, the survivors and those who served our city, our state, and our country. Like the citizens of Yonkers over a century ago, we honor those who served and continue to serve our country.
