Following McKinley's funeral, several of his closest advisors, including George B. Cortelyou, William R. Day of Canton and Ohio Senator Mark Hanna, met to discuss the location of a proper memorial to serve as a final resting place for the former president.

The Association chose a site often visited by President McKinley where he had once suggested that a monument be erected to honor soldiers and sailors from Stark County who had been killed in American wars.

Ohio Governor George Nash supported the effort by proclaiming McKinley's birthday in 1902 as a special day of observance by the state's schools.

More than 35,000 cubic yards (27,000 m³) of soil were added to create four terraces coinciding in height and pitch with the four runs of steps in the main staircase.

[2] The 9-1/2 foot tall bronze statue depicting President McKinley delivering his final public address at Buffalo, New York, on September 5, 1901 was created by sculptor Charles Henry Niehaus.

President Theodore Roosevelt joined other dignitaries to observe a grand parade from the review stand at Public Square in downtown Canton.

United States Poet Laureate James Whitcomb Riley read a memorial poem he wrote in honor of the fallen president.