While there he saw the Arch of Titus and decided to create a similar structure in his town to "symbolize the victories of peace rather than those of war.

"[4] Ironically he chose to build this monument to peace on top of an old Indian fort at the apex of a local hill.

[5] By the early 1980s the monument had been added to the National Register of Historic Places,[1] but showed signs of neglect.

[2] When the Memorial Arch was built, gas lamps were placed at each corner of the monument to illuminate it.

Because there were no electric street lights in Tilton at this time, the arch was the only illuminated object for miles.