Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument

The Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument was a sandstone obelisk standing about 52 feet tall at the southern entrance of Linn Park in Birmingham. The structure bore inscriptions honoring those who served in Confederate military forces.

The monument was designed by architect Charles Wheelock and commissioned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, opening to the public in 1905. It was built during a period when such structures were commonly erected across the South to memorialize the Civil War.

The monument remained a central point of discussion regarding historical representation until its removal in 2020 following nationwide social justice demonstrations.

The site is located at the southern edge of the park and is easily accessible on foot. The area remains open to the public, though the monument structure itself was removed in 2020.

A copper time capsule holding historical documents and objects was sealed within the cornerstone during a dedication ceremony in 1901. This capsule remained hidden inside the structure until it was discovered when the monument was dismantled.

GPS coordinates: 33.52007,-86.80948

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:08