West Spokane in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

American Legion Cenotaph

Courtesy of Jonas Babcock Chapter NSDAR

1. American Legion Cenotaph Marker

Inscription. American Legion Cenotaph has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024 by the United States Department of The Interior

Erected 2025 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 621.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2024.

Location. 47° 39.743′ N, 117° 27.821′ W. Marker is in Spokane, Washington, in Spokane County. It is in West Spokane. It can be reached from North Government Way south of North River Ridge Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. This marker stands in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery next to the 1930 American Legion Cenotaph. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 North Government Way, Spokane WA 99224, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named American Legion Cenotaph (here, next to this marker); Llewellyn Marks "Louis" Davenport (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert Edmund Strahorn Early Railroad Entrepreneur 1852-1944 (about 700 feet away); James "Jimmie" Durkin (approx.

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¼ mile away); Garry Chief of the Spokanes (approx. ¼ mile away); Edward John "E.J." Brickell (approx. ¼ mile away); Walter Lawson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rebecca Jane “Reba” Hurn (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spokane.

More about this marker. A cenotaph is a monument or empty tomb that honors a person or group of people whose remains are buried elsewhere or could not be recovered.

Regarding American Legion Cenotaph. The American Legion Cenotaph was constructed in 1930 by Spokane Post No. 9 in the Riverside Park Cemetery. The centotaph was built to honor fallen soldiers in war as well as to provide a place for reflection for those left behind. Architect and American Legion member Henry Bertelsen designed the cenotaph and Julian Simonson was the builder. The cenotaph is constructed of concrete and granite and contains benches along the U-shaped sides. The back wall boasts a taller arched stone panel (approx. 8’ tall at its highest point from ground level) which is etched with the wording, "In Memory of Those Who Gave their Lives for their Country in the World Wars.”

Also see . . .

American Legion Cenotaph placed 1930 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, August 30, 2025

2. American Legion Cenotaph placed 1930

In Memory Of Those Who Gave Their Lives For Their Country In The World Wars

1. Spokane Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. (Submitted on November 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. American Legion Cenotaph. American Legion (Submitted on November 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Rededication ceremony image. Click for full size.

Photographed by LaVonne Whitaker, November 11, 2025

3. Rededication ceremony

American Legion Cenotaph Rededication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by LaVonne Whitaker, November 11, 2025

4. American Legion Cenotaph Rededication

Rededication-American Legion Cenotaph image. Click for full size.

Photographed by LaVonne Whitaker, November 11, 2025

5. Rededication-American Legion Cenotaph

American Legion Cenotaph Rededication 2025 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Jonas Babcock Chapter NSDAR, November 11, 2025

6. American Legion Cenotaph Rededication 2025

Courtesy of Jonas Babcock Chapter NSDAR, November 11, 2025

7. American Legion Cenotaph Marker

Courtesy of Jonas Babcock Chapter NSDAR

8. American Legion Cenotaph Marker

Attendees at the dedication ceremony image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Jonas Babcock Chapter NSDAR

9. Attendees at the dedication ceremony

Unveiling the new marker. image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Jonas Babcock Chapter NSDAR

10. Unveiling the new marker.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling

11. American Legion Cenotaph Marker

Dedication ceremony.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on February 14, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. Photos: 1. submitted on November 13, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 12, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 7, 8. submitted on November 13, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 9, 10. submitted on November 15, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 11. submitted on February 12, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.