The Story of Pawcatuck's World War Memorial

The monument that sits atop the hill where West Broad St. forks and becomes South Broad St., and Pequot Trail is a moument that Pawcatuck is really very proud of. Not many people realize it, but the monument has quite an interesting history!

After the first World War had ended, the people of Pawcatuck had been debating back and fourth whether to erect a monument to remember the men of Pawcatuck that served in the war. There was even a book (Pawcatuck in Olden Times written by Elias Hinkley in 1926) promoting the idea of "a monument made of lasting granite". From what the reader gathers, the book really promoted the idea of honoring the men who served in the war and constructing the monument.

Well, on Veteran's Day (Nov. 12th) 1927, roughly nine years after the war had ended, the monument was dedicated. The ceremony drew quite a crowd.

The monument had been constructed entirely of Westerly granite, cost about $15,000 to build and was designed by Louis Whitehouse. The speakers that day included Lieutenant Governer Edwin Brainard, former principal of Bulkeley School in New London Walter Towne, Town (Stonington) Prosecuter George McKenna, Commander Michael McCarthy of the local (Pawcatuck) V.F.W. Students from West Broad St. School took part in the ceremony. The unvailing of the monument that beared all the names of every Pawcatuck man who served in the war was done to Alfred Ozanne Jr., who never got to meet his father, since he died in the conflict.

Unfortunatly, the monument was victim of vandalism on several occasions. The of the first and most significant was the most famous was when someone broke the bayonette off the gun carried by the doughboy. Nobody ever figured out who committed this crime.

The next incident occured in November of 1949 when vandals covered the monument with lipstick, which was eventually removed.

Today, the Pawcatuck World War Memorial property is owned by the Pawcatuck Fire District. Thankfully, a landscaping crew is hired to maintain the grounds surronding the monument. It is clearly evident that they take much pride in keeping up with the grounds.

Well, now you know a little bit more about the monument that honors all the brave men who fought for us from Pawcatuck, hopefully the next time you drive by, you will realize how important this memorial is, and that the little things in Pawcatuck are what make our small town so unique and great!

Thank you to: the Nov. 27th, 1949 edition of the Bridgeport Sunday Herald       

                      the Nov. 12th, 1927 edition of the Providence News