Final design for the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial chosen

The committee members were:

• Sherman W. Adams, who served as secretary;
• George P. Bissell, who served as chair;
• Morgan G. Bulkeley;
• Charles R. Chapman;
• Francis Goodwin;
• R. D. Hubbard;
• Thomas McManus;
• John O’Flaherty;
• Henry C. Robinson; and
• Jospeh H. Twichell.

The committee selected three designs for the memorial on May 15, 1882.

From Keller’s narrative description of his design:

1. “The stone bridge which leads to the park at the foot of Ford street has been embodied as part of the general design for the Soldiers’ Memorial.”
2. “It is a most beautiful feature of the park, and in the design, as an approach to the memorial arch standing at its southern end, adds much to the beauty and dignity of the composition.”
3. “By placing the arch at the south rather than at the north end of the bridge, it is saved from ever being dwarfed by the huge business blocks which may hereafter be built on Ford or Pearl streets.”
4. “The bridge this leads up to and directs attention to the arch, which is the chief point of interest, producing in a less degree the same effect as the avenue of the Champs Elysées, as you approach the famous Arch of Triumph in Paris.”

Unattributed.  “The soldiers’ memorial,” Hartford Daily Courant, January 22, 1884, page 1.