Explore Madison Ohio Civil War Soldiers’ Monument

Madison’s Civil War Soldiers’ Monument in the Village Square

Right in the center of Madison Village Square stands a Civil War monument dedicated in 1897. More than just a stone and statue, it’s a memorial with plaques honoring the local soldiers who gave their lives - and it’s still worth a stop today.

If you wander into Madison Village Square, right in the heart of town, you’ll see a limestone Union soldier standing tall at parade rest. That figure is the Civil War Soldiers’ Monument, dedicated on July 5, 1897, as a way for Madison to honor the men who never came home from the war.

The main inscription keeps it simple:

“Erected in memory of the Soldiers who offered their lives in defense of their country 1861–1865.”

Madison’s Civil War Soldiers’ Monument, with plaques honoring local soldiers who gave their lives.

Look closer and you’ll find plaques around the base listing the names of local soldiers who gave their lives ... a roll call etched in stone so their sacrifices wouldn’t be forgotten. For the families who gathered here that summer day in 1897, those names weren’t just history ... they were fathers, sons, and brothers.

A Monument of Its Time - Exploring History

In the late 1800s, towns across Ohio raised monuments like this one. The Civil War was still fresh in people's memories, and communities wanted something lasting to honor those who had served. The design - a soldier standing at rest - was one of the most common styles. It symbolized vigilance, strength, and remembrance. Madison’s monument is carved from limestone, simple but dignified, just like the

people it was built for.

Did You Know?

• 📅 Dedicated: July 5, 1897

• 📍 Location: Madison Village Square, at Main & Park Streets

• 🪖 Style: Union soldier standing at rest, a popular Civil War memorial design

• 🪨 Material: Limestone statue and base

• 📏 Height: About 11 feet tall in total (statue ~6 feet)

• 🔎 Extra detail: Plaques around the base list the names of Madison’s fallen soldiers

Tour-Style Tips for Visitors - Exploring Madison Village

If you’re exploring Madison on foot (maybe after breakfast at the B&B or before heading out for a winery hop), the Square is a perfect stop. You can:

• Pause at the monument and read the names on the plaques—imagine the families who stood here on dedication day in 1897.

• Look around the Square - many of the surrounding buildings date back to the same era, so you get a feel for the Madison those soldiers once knew.

• Cross the street to the Madison Historical Society, housed in the old Carnegie Library. It’s a great spot to dive even deeper into local history and see artifacts from the town’s past.

• Take a short stroll around the Square to grab coffee, shop local, or just sit on a bench and take it all in.

A Story Still Being Told

It’s easy to walk past the monument and see just a statue. But when you stop and read the words and names, you realize you’re standing in the middle of a story that’s been unfolding for more than 125 years. The soldier may be carved from stone, but he represents real lives and real loss - and a community that wanted to make sure they were never forgotten.

So next time you’re in Madison Square, give the soldier a nod. He’s been keeping watch since the 19th century, and he’s still part of our story today.

Take a closer look at Madison’s Civil War Soldiers’ Monument, standing watch over the Village Square since 1897.