LB2016.15.642

LB2016.15.642

Main Street, Camden, Maine. The Civil War Soldiers Monument* can be seen at the intersetion of Main and Mountain Streets in the distance.The scene includes store fronts and several horse-drawn wagons as well as an automobile. * It took only eight women to call a meeting on September 30, 1889, for the purpose of raising money so that Camden could have a Memorial to their men who served in the Civil War. They met at each other's houses weekly in the afternoon. As membership increased some were not G.A.R., so they gave themselves a name, "The Camden Soldiers Monument Association." Dues were 40 cents per year and membership increased rapidly, so instead of meeting in homes they moved to the Firemen's Hall and later to the Cleveland Hall. Their membership increased to about 23 working members, and then some men became interested and were invited to fill some of the offices. As they held fairs and suppers, their bank account grew and finally reached a total of $800. At that point they decided to go ahead, and have the monument built by Bodwell Granite Company of Vinalhaven. It was a large industry on the island during that time. The Association decided they could then ask the public to help pay for the monument and its foundation. It was 10 years later on Memorial Day 1899, that they had Rev. Henry Jones give a short prayer, Miss Edith Long unveiled the "Soldiers' Monument," while school children sang "America." Also marching to the monument that day were: The Drum Corp, the G. A. R., The Boys Relief Corp and The Monument Association. The location was where Main, Mountain, High and Central streets meet, ever after known as "Monument Square." It was then presented to the town, and First Selectman Alden Miller responded.. The Soldiers Monument Association received the town's gratitude for the work they had done. The total cost was $1,400, and 14 names of Camden's honored dead had been inscribed on one side of the 17-foot tall Union Soldier. As automobiles became more numerous in the area, the poor Union Soldier was hit several times. The final blow came on June 9, 1968, when a teenager crashed his car into it. It fell from its base in many broken pieces, so the Soldier asked the town to put him back together and move him out of the danger zone. After a bit of controversy, an extensive repair job was done. He was then moved to Harbor Park, on the corner of Main and Atlantic Avenue. It is only a few feet from the sidewalk so the passersby may pay their respect to him.