Battle Creek in Calhoun County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

U.S.S. Maine Memorial

Photographed by Dennis Allen Burlingham, October 8, 2013

1. USS Maine Memorial Marker

Inscription.
In Memoriam - U.S.S. Maine - destroyed in Havana Harbor February 15th 1898.
This tablet is cast from metal recovered from the U.S.S. Maine.

Topics and series. This historical marker and 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. A significant historical date for this entry is February 15, 1940.

Location. 42° 18.947′ N, 85° 10.811′ W. Marker is in Battle Creek, Michigan, in Calhoun County. It is on East Hamblin Avenue near Division Street North, on the right when traveling west. Located in Monument Park, on the History Tower. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Battle Creek MI 49014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Southwest Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sojourner Truth Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); Methodism in Battle Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); C. W. Post / C.W. Post Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle Creek City Hall (about 400 feet away); First Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); Battle Creek Centennial Celebration (about 600 feet away); Battle Creek Post Office (about 600 feet away); Mary S. Coleman Court (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battle Creek.

Regarding U.S.S. Maine Memorial.

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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, killing 268 sailors, or three-quarters of the crew. It was not determined if the cause was an accident or attack, but this event contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

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. Jno. Williams, Inc. was a prominent American foundry located in New York City, established in 1875, and dissolved in 1956. Over a thousand of the plaques were cast and they are spread all over the United States.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2013, by Dennis Allen Burlingham of Hartford, Michigan, USA. This page has been viewed 917 times since then and 26 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 7, 2013, by Dennis Allen Burlingham of Hartford, Michigan, USA. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide view photo of the marker showing its location in context. • Can you help?