Written by Helen Fallon, MHC Trustee
This blog is an update to a post and photo album originally published on the Montclair History Center Facebook page in 2017, when World War I Centennial events were taking place throughout NJ and across the nation to commemorate our country’s April 6, 1917 entry into WWI. After the original post, several readers pointed out WWI memorials that we were not aware of, so they’ve been added here. If we missed any, let us know!
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial in Edgemont Park (274 Valley Road). Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial in Edgemont Park (274 Valley Road). Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
Most of us are familiar with the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial in Edgemont Park at 274 Valley Road. “Winged Victory” was designed by sculptor Charles Keck and constructed in 1925. The tall granite obelisk is topped with a bronze figure of Liberty, standing on a globe upheld by eagles. A grouping of bronze figures stands at the base and includes a figure of Columbia, wearing a helmet and holding a round shield, standing protectively behind and above a uniformed sailor and a soldier carrying a rifle. The base of the tower is engraved with the insignia of various military units. This memorial is now integrated into official logo for the Township of Montclair. This is a beautiful work and is very interesting when viewed up close – a great reason to get out and visit Edgemont Memorial Park!
Montclair Township logo featuring the Winged Victory memorial.
The base of the Soldiers and Sailors memorial highlights military division insignia. Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
Edgemont Park War Memorial Groundbreaking 1924. Photo courtesy of the Montclair Public Library Local History Collection - MPL P3517-0001.
There is an oft-overlooked WWI memorial on the lawn of Hillside School, placed near the corner of Orange Road and Hillside Avenue in 1924. A bronze plaque mounted to a boulder features a bas-relief eagle perched on an olive branch as well as a list of Montclair residents who served in the war.
WWI memorial, Hillside School (54 Orange Road). Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
WWI memorial, Hillside School (54 Orange Road). Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
St. James Episcopal Church at 583 Valley Road also has a WWI memorial. The church was built in 1878, but in 1919 its steeple was replaced with a Memorial Bell Tower to remember seven congregants who died in WWI and thank 86 congregants who returned. A history prepared by the church describes the memorial details:
“The cornerstone…bears the inscription, ‘For God and County,’ the Cross of St. James and the date 1919…On the buttresses are shields symbolizing our own country, England, Belgium, France, Italy, Victory and the 29th and 78th Divisions which included the New Jersey troops. On the west wall…beneath the inscription ‘The Right Shall Prevail’ is placed the Coat of Arms of the United States. A bronze tablet (The Honor Roll) is set into the wall of the Tower vestibule….listing the names of 93 men and women of the parish who served….”
Included here is a photo of the Tower’s bells awaiting installation in 1919; seven of the bells are inscribed with the names of parishioners who died in service. There is also informational signage easily accessible to the public on the grounds outside of St. James regarding the Memorial Bell Tower. Many details to see here!
St. James Episcopal Church (583 Valley Road). Photo courtesy of St. James Episcopal Church.
St. James Episcopal Church with WWI Memorial Bell Tower that replaced the church's original steeple.
St James Episcopal Church, WWI memorial, St James Church Honor Roll. Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
The nave windows of First Congregational Church at 40 South Fullerton Avenue also serve as a WWI memorial. The windows were constructed in 1920. A 1914 fire had destroyed the original 1872 church at this location, and when it was rebuilt in 1920, the windows were designed as a memorial to the nine congregants who died in WWI.
First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue). Photo courtesy of First Congregational Church.
The Tiffany windows in Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Avenue, were also designed to honor the individuals who served in "the Great War." Installed in April 1920, they are a memorial to three church members who made "the supreme sacrifice" but also honor other church members served in the military or helped with relief and welfare efforts on the home-front. Parishioner Timothy Crist published a book in November 2018 which detailed the church's endeavor to illustrate the spirit of sacrifice in the design and installation of these extraordinary windows, which were designed by renowned stained glass artist Frederick Wilson of Tiffany Studios’ Ecclesiastical Department in New York City.
Union Congregational Church (176 Cooper Avenue). Photo courtesy of Timothy Crist.
Headstones at local cemeteries also serve as memorials to WWI veterans and those who died in service during WWI. The Mt. Hebron Cemetery headstone of Chapin Crawford Barr includes an unusually detailed description of the circumstances of his final, brave firefight. A St. James congregant, Barr’s name is also featured on the church’s Honor Roll and inscribed in one of the St. James Memorial Tower’s bells.
Theodore Todd is another WWI casualty whose headstone in Mt. Hebron Cemetery includes military iconography and details of his death in battle. Both of these men, like thousands of other servicemen who perished, were buried in American military cemeteries overseas and their burial site is noted on their headstone in the U.S. (Barr in Somme, France and Todd in Abeele, Belgium).
2nd Lt. Chapin C. Barr, U.S.M.C. headstone. Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
For extraordinary heroism as a pilot in the first Marine Aviation Force at the front in France. On September 28th, 1918, while out on an air raid over enemy territory he was attacked by a superior number of enemy scouts. In the fight which ensued he behaved with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity and despite having been mortally wounded he drove off the enemy and brought his plane safely to the aerodome
Mt. Hebron Cemetery (851 Valley Rd). Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
A WWI memorial in Watchung Plaza was erected in 1920 by the Watchung Improvement Association "in honor of those from this neighborhood who served, fought, died in the World War". Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
This plaque in the lobby of Montclair High School, 100 Chestnut Street, is a memorial to "the boys of this school who died in the World War." Both Todd and Barr are listed. Photo courtesy of Helen Fallon.
The whereabouts of another local WWI memorial is a mystery at this point. The League of Nations Fountain was dedicated on October 3, 1920 as a "memorial to the soldiers of America, England, France, and Italy who, by their travail and sacrifice, gave to the world the League of Nations for the prevention of war." The fountain was built at the private home of Julian Tinkham at 509 Park Street but, as noted, its current location is unknown. Perhaps a reader has clues to its whereabouts?
League of Nations Fountain at the Tinkham’s home (509 Park). Photo courtesy of Julian Tinkham.
Invitation to the unveiling of the League of Nations Fountain. Photo courtesy of Julian Tinkham.
While this post focuses solely on World War I memorials, on Memorial Day our thoughts are with the military personnel who have lost their lives in service to our country during any conflict.