Soldiers’ Monument 🇺🇸

Located at the center of the Santa Fe Plaza in downtown Santa Fe, the Soldiers' Monument is an 1867 cenotaph collectively memorializing deaths in military battles, including Union Army soldiers from New Mexico Territory during the American Civil War and U.S. soldiers who died in the American Indian Wars. Designed in part by architects McGee & Brother and master stone cutter Tomas Baca, the structural design originally featured a 33-foot stone obelisk atop a plinth built with a brick-and-lime core, local stone, imported Italian marble trim, and a stone foundation.

Following protests in 2020 that toppled the obelisk segment, only the damaged plinth remains standing today. You can see the plinth's inscribed stone panels commemorating Civil War battles such as Valverde, Peralta, and Glorieta Pass (Cañon del Apache and Pigeon's Ranch).

On the south side, an interpretive brass plaque added on a concrete stand in 1973 provides context on the monument's historical wording. Surrounding the site, you will find shade trees, grass, flower beds, stone banco seating, and replica Victorian iron benches set at the crux of eight radiating walkways.

What to see at Soldiers' Monument

• The damaged stone plinth featuring four cardinal inscribed panels
• Historical inscriptions commemorating Civil War battles in New Mexico Territory
• An interpretive brass plaque added in 1973 providing context on past prejudice
• Original Victorian funerary motifs, including Italian marble trim and wreaths
• Surrounding 1860s plaza layout with John Gaw Meem replica Victorian iron benches

Visiting tips

Take time to read the 1973 brass plaque on the south side for context on the monument's historical wording and changing public attitudes over time.

How long: 30-45 minutes · Best time: daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Soldiers' Monument is easy to reach on Santa Fe’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Palace of the Governors and Santa Fe Plaza. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Santa Fe travel guide.