Soldiers' Monument, Civil War memorial at Plaza, Santa Fe, US.
The Soldiers' Monument is a Civil War memorial at Santa Fe Plaza that consists of a square stone base topped by four inscribed panels. The limestone obelisk that once rose from this foundation has been removed, leaving behind only the solid base and its carved texts.
Built in 1867, this memorial honors Union Army soldiers who fell during the Civil War and related conflicts across New Mexico Territory. It has stood on the Plaza for over 150 years, serving as a focal point for remembering that era.
The monument sits at the heart of conversations about how history is remembered and whose stories matter in public spaces. You can see this tension in the modified inscriptions on its panels, which reflect changing views about whose experiences deserve recognition.
The memorial is accessible year-round and sits openly on the Plaza surrounded by pathways, seating, and shade trees for comfort. You can view all four panels from different angles, and there is plenty of space to move around and take in the surroundings.
Buried within the monument's foundation is a time capsule holding newspapers, coins, and artifacts from the 1800s, placed during the dedication ceremony in 1867. This hidden collection offers a snapshot of daily life and values from that era.
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