McKinley Monument

[1] The circular plot of land donated by the government of Buffalo, New York was 9 feet (2.7m) in diameter and was entirely filled with the base of the monument.

The commission to oversee the entire project was composed of Edward Hubert Butler Sr., John G. Milburn, Enoch A. Curtis and George E. Matthews.

[4] In 1905, a model of the four lions that would surround the base of the McKinley Monument was completed by Alexander Phimister Proctor, who was a very popular American sculptor at the time.

[5] The combination of traditional architecture (obelisk) and wild animals was relatively new to American art, but was expressed within this monument.

He expressed his opinion on the type of monument to be built after being called in by Buffalo government officials.

The day of the dedication a heavy downpour occurred but an estimation of 100,000 observers came to remember a beloved president despite the rain.

He celebrated the people of democracy who dedicate themselves to public service, encouraging visitors to conserve the ideals that others had set and died for.

[9] Poet Carl Sandburg wrote a poem about the monument called Slants at Buffalo, New York, beginning: "A forefinger of stone, dreamed by a sculptor, points to the sky.

"[5] The McKinley Monument has been significantly affected by exposure to the elements for over a century, so a complete restoration occurred June 2017 to September 2017.