Washington's First Soldiers' Monument Rises in Port Townsend
On May 30, 1895, the Woman's Relief Corps presented a cannon-on-pedestal monument to Farragut Post—the first soldiers' monument in the state—as two little girls pulled the cord and an evening crowd gathered at the courthouse.
The first soldiers' monument in the state of Washington was appropriately dedicated on the 30th of May at the cemetery. Mrs. Doyle, president of the Woman's Relief Corps, in a most charming manner formally presented the monument to Farragut Post, No. 15. Past Commander T. M. Fisher responded in an appropriate manner. During the presentation address little Misses Emily Lyle and Ruth Wylie pulled the cord and the massive monument—a cannon on a pedestal—was exposed to the view of many. The final exercises were held in the courthouse in the evening. Col. Schrack delivered a forcible address, which was mostly of an historical nature, and thoroughly appreciated by the attentive listeners. The Rambler Quartet rendered some very beautiful music.
“The first soldiers' monument in the state of Washington was appropriately dedicated on the 30th of May.”
Memorial Day rites like this one helped fix Civil War memory into the civic landscape of Washington, long before the state had many such public monuments. The impulse to mark service and sacrifice in stone still shapes how communities argue over what—and who—should be remembered.
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