This monument stands apart from most of the veteran's memorials I have seen due to its vibrant and…read morestriking use of color. It's a simple stone monument adorned by an unfurled American flag in full glorious color. In addition to the bright reds, whites, and blues of the flag, the monument also sports a silver flagpole topped by a gold eagle. The inscription reads "In Honor of Those Who Served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America." There are gold and bronze emblems of the five branches of the armed services at the bottom of the monument. The monument sits on the front lawn of the Poquonock Elementary School at 1760 Poquonock Avenue in Windsor. As you are driving by on Route 75, it sure grabs your attention !!

I passed through Winchester a few years ago and missed this so on my next trip through Connecticut,…read morethis had to be a stop. This striking Civil War memorial blends Gothic architectural drama with deep civic pride. Its story spans decades of community effort, artistic vision, and historical reverence. The monument is a three-story Gothic-style tower built of locally quarried ashlar granite. Designed by Robert W. Hill of Waterbury, it features a square base with inward-sloping lower walls that straighten as they rise, crowned by crenellations. A circular tourelle projects from one corner of the third level, topped by a bronze figure of a Civil War soldier holding the colors - sculpted by George E. Bissell. The tower stands 44 feet tall and was originally intended to include an iron staircase, but a contractor dispute led to a temporary wooden one instead. Over time, additions included a square entrance arch, stone retaining walls, cannons, and a decorative fountain by Hartford sculptor Andrew Coppola in the 1970s. It is a challenge getting up the hill to the park but once here, you'll appreciate the tower and the view. [Review 1142 of 2025 - 130 in Connecticut - 24695 overall]

Magnificent and awe inspiring…read more Two days ago, I reviewed the incredible Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch in Hartford. It was spectacular!! Little did I imagine that 48 hours later, and just 26 miles away, I would see another mind blowing veteran's monument that defies belief. The Winchester Soldiers' Monument is set way up high on a hill in a small park on Crown Street in Winsted. The land it sits on was donated in 1888 by three local gents to establish some sort of Civil War memorial and park. And what a memorial it turned into! They built a three-story granite castle that's over 40 feet tall. And what sits atop the tower? Why an 8' tall bronze statue of a Civil War soldier wearing a jacket and a hat, with a sword on his belt, and holding a flag. The Monument was dedicated on September 11, 1890. Special trains ran out of Hartford to bring a crowd of 20,000 to be a part of what the Hartford Courant described as "Winsted's Glorious Day." The Memorial Park is used for town celebrations and Veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies. Picnics, concerts, plays, religious ceremonies, and weddings are held here. What's pretty cool is that the image of the monument is an essential component of the Winchester Town Seal and the badges of it's police force. When you stand up on the hill, with the statue behind you, you get the impression that the soldier is standing guard, on a never ending vigil to protect his town. This one will give you the chills............

This 2-sided State of CT historical marker was dedicated in 1979. It is located just west of the…read morebusy intersection of Routes 202 and 10, in a pretty town green near the Veterans Memorial and Town Gazebo. The inscription gives a brief account of Avon's history - how it spun off from Farmington, its farming heritage, and its boom on the heels of the Farmington Canal's completion. The plaque has identical engraving on both sides. The plaque and its paint finish are in very good condition. The inscription reads: Avon This area, formerly Northington or the North Parish of Farmington, was settled in 1645 on land that had belonged to the Tunxis Indians. It prospered as a farming community and, in 1830, after the construction and opening of the Farmington Canal, Avon was incorporated as a separate town with a population of 1,025. It was named after the Avon River in England. The Albany Turnpike (Route 44) was a heavily traveled thoroughfare, and its junction with the canal gave Avon considerable importance during the early to mid-nineteenth century as a transportation and commercial center. The brownstone buildings which house the Town Hall were constructed from local material by the Climax Fuse Company in 1907 and the buildings continued to be used for the manufacture of safety fuses until 1968. Many homes now dot the hillsides of Avon which once rang to the call of the canalmen. Erected by the Town of Avon The Avon Historical Society, Inc. and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1979

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch is located in Bushnell Park in Hartford, CT. From May to…read moreOctober, Thursdays from 12-1:30, they offer free tours, weather permitting. This beautiful Gothic style brownstone arch was designed by a Hartford architect named George Keller; his ashes and his wife's ashes were buried in the East tower. In 1886, the monument was dedicated to the 4000 citizens from Hartford who served in the Civil War; of those 4000, 400 died. There are scenes on the sculpture from the Civil War, terra cotta angels, and 8 foot statues; these 8 foot statues depict the type of people who served in the war; from farmers, students, freed slaves, etc. There's a bronze plaque honoring the 128 African Americans from Hartford who fought in the war. I saw this arch from afar and up close. It is a magnificent work of art. It's grand and a great symbol to honor the people who fought in the war. It's a historic landmark and I really appreciate the intricate work and history behind it. I highly recommend a visit and can't wait to visit it and go on a tour next time.

Must visit spot in Hartford, Connecticut. What an amazing monument. If you are around the area, if…read morethere is one spot you should visit, it is this arch. Very much enjoyed it. I am glad a monument such as this exists in Hartford, CT.

My eye and my Yelping seem to be drawn to Civil War monuments as I travel my way through New…read moreEngland. This one in the Granby Town Green is interesting for its brownstone and the fact that it was installed in 1868 which was even before the park where it stands. I noticed that the figure at the top not only is wearing his cloak over his shoulder (it's usually been in front), he stands with one knee slightly bent and looking slightly down and perhaps, contemplative. It's very expressive. The statue's base is in two pieces with the lower listing the battle names and pointing out, "This monument is erected by voluntary contributions, in commemoration of the brave men from the Town of Granby, who laid down their lives for the Union in the War of the Great Rebellion. Erected July 4, 1868." Above, the upper piece lists the battles and names arranged by unit showing date of death. Along the lowest level, "They that sow in tears will reap in joy. Death is swallowed up in victory. Faithful unto death." [Review 18409 overall - 75 in Connecticut - 1931 of 2022.]

Quite the impressive monument!…read more It's located on the Granby Town Green at the intersection of Salmon Brook Street (U.S. 202) and East Granby Street (State Route 20). The monument consists of a full body statue of an old grizzled Civil War soldier standing atop a large four-sided stone base. There are inscriptions on the upper and lower halves of all four sides. Some of the things you will see are soldiers' names and their dates of death, the names of horrendous battles (Andersonville, Cold Harbor, Sharpsburg, Petersburg), and some awesome quotations - "Death is swallowed up in Victory", "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy", and "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more". The statue has quite a history -it was dedicated on July 4, 1868 with the following inscription: "This monument is erected by voluntary contributions, in commemoration of the brave men from the Town of Granby, who laid down their lives for the Union in the War of the Great Rebellion". It was restored and rededicated in 2002. One of the restoration steps included rebuilding the soldier's musket, which had deteriorated and disintegrated away over the previous 136 years. I'm sure the old gent was grateful for that. It's a beautiful monument. Check out the expression on the guy's face. A very sad and weary look..............

The Viets family of East Granby operated a farm and livestock business on this site for many years…read more After the business closed, the land came into the possession of the Town of East Granby, who converted it into an almost 500 acre public park with a recreation center and hiking trails. In a beautiful nod to it's prior owners, the Town not only decided to leave the Viets Farm concrete silo standing, but also commissioned the painting of a mural on it to serve as a huge welcome sign to the park. It stands in the main parking lot entrance to the complex on Route 187. The gorgeous color mural covers every square inch of the silo with a lovely farm motif of animals, scenery and a blue sky. The original lettering was left undisturbed: L. H. VIETS & SONS CATTLE & HORSES It really is a gorgeous and very unexpected sight to see!!

This was a huge veteran's memorial with steles and a flag pole located in Coe Memorial Park,…read moreTorrington. There were steps and in the middle you will see many plaques memorializing the war veterans of Torrington. The plaques lists all the names of the war veterans who gave their lives. The wars mentioned were the American Revolution, Civil War, Korean War, Vietnam War, Spanish-American War, and the World Wars. It is right beside the large artillery. There were benches all around the structure. Overall, a nicely maintained memorial in honor of the people who fought various wars.

This enormous and spectacular monument is disguised as the base of a flagpole!…read more Located in Coe Park, the base has four sides (imagine a giant cube) with four wings radiating out from the center like the blades of a fan. The monument is covered from head to toe with all sorts of plaques. A huge flagpole rises from the top of the monument. Plaques on the monument commemorate the service of Torrington's residents in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, WW I, WW II, Korean War, Vietnam War. Separate plaques list the names of those killed in action One plaque is dedicated to all of the veterans of all of the wars. It reads: This Memorial Records The Devotion Of The Sons And Daughters Of Torrington Who In The Hour Of Need Gave Their Services To Their Country Putting Honor And Duty Above Safety They Sought Not Glory But The Good Of Their Country And Humanity Erected By The Grateful City And People Of Torrington

Dedicated in 1920, this memorial is starting to show its age. The monument is a tarnished bronze…read moreplaque set inside a stone base. The top of the plaque is inscribed with the words: "Erected By The Citizens Of Windsor Connecticut In Honor Of Those Who Went From This Township To Fight In The World War For Humanity And Justice" There appears to be over 200 names of Windsor's WW I Veterans inscribed on the plaque. The bottom of the plaque is dedicated to Windsor's casualties from the war. An inscription reading "In Memory Of Those Who Gave Their Lives To This Great Cause" precedes the honor role of 12 names. The memorial can be found in a small park parallel to Broad Street (roughly between CVS and Nat Hayden's) in downtown Windsor.