McGinley Square in Jersey City in Hudson County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
U.S.S. Maine Memorial
Photographed by R. C.
1. U.S.S. Maine Memorial Marker
In Memoriam - U.S.S. Maine - Destroyed in Havana Harbor February 15, 1898.
This tablet is cast from metal recovered from the U.S.S. Maine.
Presented to the People of Jersey City, N.J. by General Joseph Wheeler - Post No. 4 A.V.F.S. September 20, 1913.
Rededicated by General Joseph Wheeler - Post No. 62 V.F.W. September 20, 1975.
Erected 1913 by Veterans of Foreign Wars (prior to 1914, it was known as the American Veterans of Foreign Service).
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Spanish-American • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the U.S.S. Maine Memorial Markers series list.
Location. 40° 43.525′ N, 74° 4.064′ W. Memorial is in Jersey City, New Jersey, in Hudson County. It is in McGinley Square. It is at the intersection of Bergen Avenue and Montgomery Street, on the left when traveling south on Bergen Avenue. Marker is in McGinley plaza. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 700 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City NJ 07306, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in New Jersey’s North Jersey, in Greater Newark, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Roger A. McGinley (here, next to this marker); Jane Tuers (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Bergen Church
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Another marker is no longer nearby. Newkirk House (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).
More about this memorial. Many new streetscape improvements began on Bergen Avenue on April 3, 2006. These included refurbished granite monuments at McGinley Square, one to Father McGinley and the other to the U.S.S. Maine. On Tuesday, July 17, 2007, the Jersey City Mayor rededicated these two McGinley Plaza monuments after both were restored and remounted on new granite stones.
Regarding U.S.S. Maine Memorial. The battleship was sent to Havana Harbor to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban War of Independence, and it spent over three weeks anchored there without incident. On the evening of February 15, 1898, the ship exploded and sank,
Photographed by R. C.
2. U.S.S. Maine Memorial and Rededication Inscription
In 1913, sculptor Charles Keck of New York City designed a memorial plaque that was cast from metal salvaged from the USS Maine after it was raised in Havana harbor the previous year. Over a thousand of the plaques were cast and they are spread all over the United States.
Additional commentary.
1. Cannon Shell
Though the USS Maine met her fate over 110 years ago, she still lives on through markers identical to this one. Additionally, many artifacts that were recovered and given to towns, cities and organizations across the country. Near this marker, in the Hoboken, NJ Free Public Library, one of the U.S.S. Maine's cannon shells still rests on the circulation desk.
— Submitted April 3, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas.
Photographed by R. C.
3. U.S.S. Maine Memorial in the center of McGinley Square (on right)
Public Domain
4. U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,655 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. 4. submitted on April 7, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
