Firemen's Memorial, Memorial monument in Riverside Park, Manhattan, US
The Firemen's Memorial is a monument in Riverside Park in Manhattan composed of a Knoxville marble structure featuring a grand staircase and balustraded plaza. The sculptural elements were created by Attilio Piccirilli and form the core of this commemorative site.
The memorial was built in 1913 following Deputy Fire Chief Charles W. Kruger's drowning, prompting the city to create a tribute to this line-of-duty death. Funding came from public sources and donations, reflecting how deeply the community valued honoring firefighting sacrifice.
The memorial displays two sculptural groups representing duty and sacrifice, with a central relief showing a horse-drawn fire engine responding to emergencies. These artistic works help visitors understand the emotional weight of firefighting work.
The site sits at Riverside Drive and 100th Street and is easily accessible by foot; the park layout lets visitors explore the grounds comfortably. Annual remembrance gatherings take place where the public can participate in honoring fallen firefighters.
A bronze tablet from 1927 sits beneath the memorial, dedicated to the horses that once pulled fire engines through the city. This often-overlooked plaque marks an important but forgotten chapter in New York's firefighting past.
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