McKinley Monument

The McKinley Monument is a white marble obelisk rising from Niagara Square at the intersection of Buffalo's main roads. Four large marble lions stand at its base, serving as guardians of the structure and anchoring it visually to the plaza.

New York State dedicated this memorial in 1907, six years after President William McKinley was shot during the Pan-American Exposition. The time between the tragedy and the dedication allowed the city to carefully design and construct the monument.

The monument carries inscriptions marking key moments in McKinley's life that visitors can read as they approach the structure. The square itself serves as a gathering point where locals pause and meet, making it a focal point of city life.

The structure sits directly in front of City Hall at a central intersection, making it easy to locate and access from the plaza. Visitors can explore the area at any time, with sidewalks and walkways surrounding the site.

The four lions at the base were modeled after Sultan, an actual lion from the Bronx Zoo, and each was carved from a single block of marble. This connection to a New York landmark gives the monument an unexpected tie to local history.

Location: Buffalo

Made from material: marble

GPS coordinates: 42.88640,-78.87810

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:30