Photo of the Month

November 2000

Dedication Ceremonies of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

Ninety-two years ago on November 19, 1908, people throughout Columbia County and the area came to Bloomsburg to participate in a patriotic celebration to commemorate the county’s contribution to the Union cause in the Civil War. All of the town’s industries closed at noon and students were dismissed from school. On this festive occasion, that included a parade, which coincided with the forty-fifth anniversary of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the citizens witnessed the dedication ceremonies of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument on Market Square.

Commonly referred to as the Civil War Monument, it rises sixty feet, and has with four statues, seven feet tall standing erect on the base’s four corners, representing the infantry, cavalry, artillery and navy. Four inscriptions chiseled into its sides declare: "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," a quote taken from a 1790 speech given by John Philpot Curran, an Irish judge; "Our flag was still there," from The Star Spangled Banner; this memorial "Erected by Columbia County 1908"; and "in honor of the men of Columbia County who fought for their country." At the base of the shaft there are four designs: Grand Army of the Republic badge, Union Veterans Legion badge, dove of peace, and a wreath of laurel. Engraved on the shaft at two different levels are names of eight major battles where soldiers from Columbia County fought. This beautiful monument stands as a constant reminder, a stone testament, of the sacrifices given to a noble cause.