Union Square in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Dewey Monument
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
1. Dewey Monument Marker, Panel 1
On the night of April Thirtieth 1898 Commodore Deweys squadron entered Manila Bay and undaunted by the danger of submerged explosives reached Manila at dawn of May First 1898 Attacked and destroyed the Spanish fleet of ten war ships Reduced the forts and held the city in subjection until the arrival of troops from America
Erected by the citizens of San Francisco to commemorate the victory of the American Navy under Commodore George Dewey at Manila Bay May First MDCCCXCVIII On May Twenty Third MCMI the ground for this monument was broken by President William McKinley
Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Commodore George Dewey April 24 1898 Was has commenced between the United States and Spain Proceed at once to the Philippine Islands and capture or destroy the Spanish fleet
American Squadron Manila Bay Olympia Flagship Baltimore Raleigh Boston Concord Petrel McColloch On May fourteenth MCMIII this monument was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt
Erected 1901 Newton J. Tharp Architect Robert Aitken Sculptor Replaced 1942 following construction of the underground garage Timothy L. Pflueger Architect
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This monument and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • War, Spanish-American • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 37° 47.276′ N, 122° 24.451′ W. Monument is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Union Square. It is at the intersection of Post Street and Powell Street, on the right when traveling east on Post Street. Marker is at Union Square. Touch for map. Monument is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial monument is on California’s Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of Union Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Mayors of San Francisco (within shouting distance of this marker); Sears Fine Food (about 500 feet away); Native Sons Building (about 700 feet away); Phelan Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Miles Archer (approx. 0.2 miles away); John's Grill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert Louis Stevenson (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Other markers no longer nearby. The DArcy Building (was about 300 feet away,
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
2. Dewey Monument Marker, Panel 2
Also see . . .
1. The Dewey Monument. Smithsonian American Art Museum - Art Inventories Catalog (Submitted on July 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)
2. Panorama, Union Square, San Francisco. San Francisco Museum - Early Motion Pictures
Panorama of the crowds gathered for the dedication on May 14, 1903 (Submitted on July 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)
3. The Dewey Monument. San Francisco Museum website entry:
July 3, 1899 article from The San Francisco Call (Submitted on July 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)
4. Union Square, San Francisco. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
3. Dewey Monument Marker, Panel 3
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
4. Dewey Monument Marker, Panel 4
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
5. Dewey Monument Marker, Panel 5
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
6. Dewey Monument Marker
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
7. Dewey Monument Marker
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
8. Dewey Monument Marker
Twelve foot high bronze of Victory by Robert Aitken (1878–1949). The capitol on the 83 foot granite column was modeled by H. Maddock, Mr. Aitkens assistant.
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
9. Dewey Monument Marker
Photographed by Karen Key, July 23, 2007
10. Dewey Monument Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 18, 2015
11. Victory
Many San Franciscans will tell you that socialite and philanthropist Alma de Bretteville Spreckels posed for Robert Ingersoll Aitken's 1901 statue of Victory atop the Dewey Monument in Union Square.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2015
12. George Dewey
This 1900 portrait of George Dewey by Theobald Chartran hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.
“George Dewey obtained fame during the SpanishAmerican War after more than forty years of service. His slow rise through the ranks began at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. During the Civil War, Dewey performed with honor during an assault on New Orleans, earning the rank of lieutenant commander. In 1898, Commodore Dewey gained the command of the Asiatic Squadron stationed in Nagasaki Harbor. With the outbreak of war between Spain and the United States, he was ordered to engage the Spanish fleet stationed near the Philippines. On May 1, Dewey destroyed the fleet and paved the way for U.s. occupation of the islands. Upon his return, Dewey was greeted as a national hero and awarded the rank of admiral. He continued to serve the navy until his death.” — National Portrait Gallery
“George Dewey obtained fame during the SpanishAmerican War after more than forty years of service. His slow rise through the ranks began at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. During the Civil War, Dewey performed with honor during an assault on New Orleans, earning the rank of lieutenant commander. In 1898, Commodore Dewey gained the command of the Asiatic Squadron stationed in Nagasaki Harbor. With the outbreak of war between Spain and the United States, he was ordered to engage the Spanish fleet stationed near the Philippines. On May 1, Dewey destroyed the fleet and paved the way for U.s. occupation of the islands. Upon his return, Dewey was greeted as a national hero and awarded the rank of admiral. He continued to serve the navy until his death.” — National Portrait Gallery
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 7,368 times since then and 137 times this year. Last updated on January 5, 2009, by Richard S. E. Johns of San Francisco, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on July 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 11. submitted on November 21, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 12. submitted on November 30, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
