Edwin Upton Curtis Memorial

The Edwin Upton Curtis Memorial comprises two large decorative urns positioned along the Charles River, designed to blend with the waterfront environment. The pair of vessels sits within the walking areas of the Esplanade and offers views toward the water.

The memorial was erected in 1923 near Clarendon Street and relocated to its current site near the Hatch Shell in 1924. This move reflected changing ideas about how to arrange the public waterfront space.

The memorial honors a police commissioner who reshaped Boston's force by bringing in officers from different backgrounds than the department had previously recruited. This change reflected broader shifts in who served in city leadership roles.

The memorial is easily reached by walking along the Esplanade paths and sits within a zone full of pedestrian pathways and recreation options. Access is free and the grounds are open during standard park hours.

The memorial honors someone whose name became intertwined with the 1919 police strike, one of the pivotal moments in Boston's security history. During that crisis, the state guard stepped in to maintain order when regular officers walked off the job.

Location: Boston

GPS coordinates: 42.35719,-71.07433

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:26