It was one of the first war memorials to be built in the United States, and is a significant work of both architect Henry Austin and builder Solomon Willard.

The monument is 45 feet (14 m) in height, with a stepped square base, surmounted by a paneled section, above which is a gabled cornice, with the body of the obelisk above.

Each face of the panel section bears an inscription, one of them consisting of Hale's famous quotation "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

The memorial was designed by Henry Austin, a prominent Connecticut architect, and was built in 1846 by Solomon Willard, owner of the Quincy granite quarries.

The quarried stone was shipped to Norwich by regional railroads at no cost, and was delivered the rest of the way to Coventry by oxen.