A Monument for the Forgotten Conflict
Walla Walla's Red Cross society secures a contract for a Spanish-American War memorial, sparking debate over its placement in the city.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
At yesterday afternoon's meeting of the Red Cross society, the contract for erecting the Spanish-American war veterans' monument was awarded to the Roberts Monument company for $1,100. By placing such a low bid, Manager Lee Roberts stated the price represented the actual cost of the monument, with the company expecting no profit. The monument will be constructed of Bedford stone, reaching 24 feet eight inches in height. It will feature three bases surmounted by a figure of a soldier standing at rest. While the exact location has not been fully determined, members of the Red Cross suggested the city park. Mr. Roberts has proposed placing the monument on the triangular piece of ground at Palouse and Alder streets, opposite the Congregational church. This location could be further enhanced if the city purchases the adjoining 80 feet on Palouse street for a public library site, as suggested by the Women's Reading Club.
“By placing such a low bid, Manager Lee Roberts stated the price represented the actual cost of the monument, the company expecting no profit either in the labor performed or on the material.”
The intersection of Palouse and Alder streets remains a central point in Walla Walla, though the city's civic priorities have shifted. The push for a public library and monument placement at the turn of the 20th century mirrors ongoing modern urban planning discussions regarding how Walla Walla allocates its limited downtown land.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.