The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument rises from the center of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, where Meridian and Market streets meet. The State of Indiana commissioned it through a monument commission created in 1887. The article calls it the first United States monument dedicated to the common soldier, and it was dedicated on May 15, 1902.
Bruno Schmitz of Berlin won the commission with his "Symbol of Indiana" design. The Neoclassical obelisk is built of oolitic limestone from Owen County, with bronze details. With its Victory statue it stands 285 feet (86.7 meters) tall. The cornerstone was laid on August 22, 1889.
Rudolf Schwarz carved the War and Peace groups, and George T. Brewster, Nikolaus Geiger and others made the bronze work. Eight stone eagles support the capital. An elevator and 331 steps lead toward the observation deck, and the monument has been decorated as a Christmas tree since 1962.
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