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Soldiers and Sailors Monument

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Recognized as one of the world’s outstanding monuments, the structure has come to symbolize both the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana.

Located in the heart of downtown in Monument Circle, it was originally designed to honor Indiana’s Civil War veterans. It now commemorates the valor of Hoosier veterans who served in all wars prior to WWI, including the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Frontier Wars and the Spanish-American War. One of the most popular parts of the monument is the observation deck with a 360-degree view of the city skyline from 275 feet up.

Hours & locationSoldiers & Sailors Monument Brochure
FEATURES

Other features of the monument include:

Constructed by Bruno Schmitz

Bruno Schmitz of Berlin, Prussia (Germany) constructed the monument and incorporated many art works into the monument and around the circle. Sculptor Rudolf Schwarz designed the statuary groups “War” and “Peace,” “The Dying Soldier,” “The Homefront” and the four statues at the corners of the monument that represent the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and Navy. Additionally, George Brewster created the thirty-eight-foot-tall figure of Victory that caps the monument, as well as two astragals, and Nicolaus Geiger created the bronze Army astragal that represents the carnage of war.

Dedicated in 1902

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was constructed between 1887 and 1902 and formally dedicated on May 15, 1902.

Design and Construction

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is 284 feet, 6 inches tall—only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. The complete cost of design and construction was nearly $600,000. Building a similar structure today would cost more than $500 million.

Commission for Construction

The commission for the monument’s construction requested architects to submit design proposals. Of the 70 proposals turned in, two finalists were chosen. Then from the two, Bruno Schmitz of Berlin, Prussia (Germany) received the appointment.

Observation Deck

The observation deck can be reached by climbing 331 steps or riding an elevator 90% of the distance and climbing the remaining 31 steps.

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#SoldiersandSailorsMonument

POV: You’re standing at the very center of Indianapolis, Indiana—literally. This is Monument Circle, home to the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a 284-foot limestone masterpiece completed in 1902. It honors Indiana’s veterans from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish-American War, most notably those who fought in the Civil War.

Fun fact: This was the first monument in the U.S. dedicated to the common soldier and sailor, and it’s still one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The statue at the very top is called Victory, and she’s holding a sword in one hand and a torch in the other—symbolizing peace and freedom. The interior has a spiral staircase and an elevator that takes you to an observation deck with a 360° view of downtown Indy.

Surrounded by the hustle of city life and the calm splash of its fountain, Monument Circle is more than a backdrop—it’s the beating heart of Indianapolis.

#NelsonEverywhere #explore #viral #travel #pov #relatable #meme #trending #indianapolis #monumentcircle #soldiersandsailorsmonument #indianahistory #civilwarhistory #usatravel #historicsites

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POV: You’re standing at the very center of Indianapolis, Indiana—literally. This is Monument Circle, home to the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a 284-foot limestone masterpiece completed in 1902. It honors Indiana’s veterans from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish-American War, most notably those who fought in the Civil War. Fun fact: This was the first monument in the U.S. dedicated to the common soldier and sailor, and it’s still one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The statue at the very top is called Victory, and she’s holding a sword in one hand and a torch in the other—symbolizing peace and freedom. The interior has a spiral staircase and an elevator that takes you to an observation deck with a 360° view of downtown Indy. Surrounded by the hustle of city life and the calm splash of its fountain, Monument Circle is more than a backdrop—it’s the beating heart of Indianapolis. #NelsonEverywhere #explore #viral #travel #pov #relatable #meme #trending #indianapolis #monumentcircle #soldiersandsailorsmonument #indianahistory #civilwarhistory #usatravel #historicsites

Clouds before the storm
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#cumulonimbus #thunderstorm #soldiersandsailorsmonument #pittsburgh

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Clouds before the storm • #cumulonimbus #thunderstorm #soldiersandsailorsmonument #pittsburgh

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Happy Flag Day🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸#flagday #america #soldiers #veterans #freedom #soldiersandsailorsmonument #wilmington #delaware #usa #firststate

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🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Happy Flag Day🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸#flagday #america #soldiers #veterans #freedom #soldiersandsailorsmonument #wilmington #delaware #usa #firststate

Happy Flag Day! This photo was taken, of course, on the day on which the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was first dedicated in 1902. Red, white and blue were the order of the day, in part because the Monument’s donor, Harriet Newell Flint loved the American flag so much that she decorated with it!

Her nephew, Harvey Evans remembered that her home on Charles Street in Wakefield (the street was named after her husband, Charles Flint) was full of flags — at least one in every room! Although his aunt was famously frugal (a paragon of Yankee thrift!), his aunt always supported patriotic causes. She had donated for the support of wounded and deceased veterans and their families for many years.

The original plan for the unveiling of the monument was to actually unveil it from behind giant flags — there were two huge flags that totally covered it. A young woman was supposed to read and patriotic poem, and then the flags would fall dramatically. Unfortunately it was so windy that one of the flags blew down completely before the monument was unveiled, so the unveiling was different — but still special! (At least it didn’t rain that day!). #wakefieldma #wakefieldhistoricalsociety #01880 #wakefieldhistory #civilwarmonument #soldiersandsailorsmonument

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Happy Flag Day! This photo was taken, of course, on the day on which the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was first dedicated in 1902. Red, white and blue were the order of the day, in part because the Monument’s donor, Harriet Newell Flint loved the American flag so much that she decorated with it! Her nephew, Harvey Evans remembered that her home on Charles Street in Wakefield (the street was named after her husband, Charles Flint) was full of flags — at least one in every room! Although his aunt was famously frugal (a paragon of Yankee thrift!), his aunt always supported patriotic causes. She had donated for the support of wounded and deceased veterans and their families for many years. The original plan for the unveiling of the monument was to actually unveil it from behind giant flags — there were two huge flags that totally covered it. A young woman was supposed to read and patriotic poem, and then the flags would fall dramatically. Unfortunately it was so windy that one of the flags blew down completely before the monument was unveiled, so the unveiling was different — but still special! (At least it didn’t rain that day!). #wakefieldma #wakefieldhistoricalsociety #01880 #wakefieldhistory #civilwarmonument #soldiersandsailorsmonument

Hours & Location

HOURS

Hours inside: Please call for hours 317-234-6999
Hours outside: Open from dawn to dusk

ADMISSION

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