Trolley Square in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Memorial Day Parade and Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 26, 2020
1. Memorial Day Parade and Soldiers and Sailors Monument
On May 30, 1868, Wilmington residents placed flowers at the graves of Civil War soldiers in response to Gen. John A. Logan's General Order 11, which called for a national day of remembrance. Honoring the sacrifices of those who died in the Civil War and later wars, May 30 became an annual tradition that expanded to include a parade. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was dedicated as part of the activities in 1871. Architect A.B. Mullet designed the monument using a column from Philadelphia's Bank of Pennsylvania. Local resident Eli Crozier led fundraising efforts for the structure, which was Wilmington's first outdoor public monument.
Erected 2020 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NCC-250.)
Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Events • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1868.
Location. 39° 45.3′ N, 75° 33.562′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Trolley Square. It
this page online
Regionally, this marker and monument is in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wilmington Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Soldiers and Sailors Monument (a few steps from this marker); 1315 Delaware Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 1313 Delaware Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank E. Schoonover Studios (approx. 0.2 miles away); Encampment of Continental Troops 1777 (approx. Ό mile away); Detective Thomas P. Conaty Jr. (approx. Ό mile away);
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 26, 2020
2. Memorial Day Parade and Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Another marker is no longer nearby. Christopher Columbus (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 428 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
