The Maine Monument is located in the heart of Columbus Circle and just by the entrance of Central Park on the Southwest side. Also known as the 57-foot gigantic statue that was built on May 30th (Memorial Day) in 1913.
The memorial was a way to honor the 258 American sailors. They had unfortunately passed away on the battleship called Maine during the year of 1898. Ship had gotten wrecked in the Havana Harbor back in Cuba.
The architect was designed by the name of H. Van Buren Magonigle. Moreover, Attilio Piccirilli happened to be the sculptor.
The concepts for the fountain/sculpture are mainly courage and justice. The memorial is made up of bronze figures on the very top with a water fountain at the base.
To see the marble memorial up close and in person from onsite, tourists can access the location by taking public transportation. The closest trains are 1/A/B/C at the 59-Street Columbus Circle Station.
It's free to visit and you can snap as many photos as you like from different angles. Open to the public all-year round. Additionally, you can check out the Central Park Conservancy (website) for more information.
Thousands of people pass by the Maine Monument throughout the day. Sadly, not too many people have stopped to take few minutes out of their lives to read about this tragic incident in the past.
Few will care to learn about the backstory behind the tragedy as the main reason causing the Spanish-American War that happened within the same year of 1898. read more