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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Astoria #20: Soldier’s Monument

Intersection of West Marine Drive, West Bond Street and Columbia Avenue

Soldier's Monument in Astoria, Oregon on September 24, 2005

The Soldier's Monument was dedicated to Soldiers of World War of Clatsop County by the City of Astoria on July 21, 1926. It was built by the American Legion with funds donated by the citizens of West Astoria, also known as Uniontown. The Soldier's Monument is also known as the Victory Monument and the Doughboy Monument. The base was designed by Astoria architect Charles T. Diamond, and includes public restrooms (stairs lead to a door on either side), now closed of course. (Things were certainly different in 1926; just imagine the outrage there would be today if anyone even suggested combining a veteran's memorial and a public restroom.) The monument is topped with a bronze statue called Over the Top at Cantigny, designed by John Paulding and cast by the American Art Bronze Foundry of Chicago.

Soldier's Monument in Astoria, Oregon on September 24, 2005

Another Paulding Doughboy of a different design is in Salem, Oregon. For more information about the Paulding doughboy statues: John Paulding's Doughboys at Earl D. Goldsmith's Spirit of the American Doughboy Database.

Astoria's Soldier's Monument was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1984. It was rededicated on May 18, 1991, and the Roger Riutta Memorial Bench was placed next to the Soldier's Monument. Roger Riutta was dedicated to restoring landmarks in West Astoria, and inspired the development of many civic projects by the Uniontown Association.

Continue to 21: City Hall

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