Dauphin County Veteran's Memorial Obelisk

The Dauphin County Veteran's Memorial Obelisk is a stone shaft that tapers toward its peak and stands at a major intersection in the downtown area. The structure displays carved text along its surfaces to identify and commemorate those it honors.

Planning for this memorial began in the years following the Civil War, with the design created by engineer E. Hudson Worrall starting in 1867. The project took a decade to complete due to funding difficulties before its dedication in 1876.

The obelisk bears inscriptions listing military units and soldiers from the region who served across multiple conflicts. Visitors can see how the community honors those who were part of its history.

The memorial sits at a central intersection in the downtown district and is easily accessible on foot from nearby streets. The site is open to the public and visible from all angles around the base.

The monument was relocated in 1960 from its original location at North Second and State Streets to its present intersection downtown. This significant move was part of a larger urban development effort and shows how major memorials can be repositioned as cities evolve.