Soldiers and Sailors Monument

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a Civil War memorial in Monument Square, Troy, that rises 93 feet (28 meters) tall with a granite column crowned by a 17-foot (5-meter) bronze statue of Columbia holding a sword and trumpet. The statue balances on a cannonball at the top of the column and forms a recognizable landmark in the center of the city.

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument Association was established in 1886 and secured Washington Square as the location for this memorial on August 1, 1887. The project grew from local citizens' desire to honor soldiers who served and fought in the Civil War.

The four bronze relief panels at the base show scenes of infantry, artillery, cavalry, and naval battles from American military engagements. These carved images tell the stories of different types of soldiers and battles that took place during the Civil War.

The memorial stands at the intersection of Broadway and 2nd Street, serving as a central reference point in the Central Troy Historic District. It is freely accessible and easily reached on foot from nearby shops and pedestrian areas around downtown.

The bronze statue of Columbia at the top balances on a single cannonball, a rare design element in American Civil War memorials. This bold architectural detail emphasizes the precision and balance associated with military skill.

GPS coordinates: 42.73163,-73.69168

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:24