Civil War Monument
The Civil War Monument in Boston, officially the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, is a 126-foot granite column that rises from Flagstaff Hill in the middle of Boston Common. Sculptor Martin Milmore designed it, and the city dedicated it in 1877 to the men of Boston who died in the Civil War. This page explains where to find the monument, how it came to be, what its statues and carved scenes show, and which nearby sights fit into the same walk. If you are seeing Boston by bus, the hop-on hop-off tour map shows which Boston Sightseeing stops put you at the edge of the Common.
Location
The monument stands on Flagstaff Hill, a rise near the center of Boston Common. The Common covers about 50 acres and is bounded by Tremont, Park, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets, so the hill sits well inside the park rather than on a street corner. Park Street Station, at the corner of Park and Tremont Streets, is the closest subway stop, and the Frog Pond is nearby. A column this tall is easy to spot from the paths around it.
The monument stands outdoors in a public park, so you do not need a ticket to see it. Wondering what makes this hill special? That story starts well before the monument.
History
Boston Common dates to 1634, and Flagstaff Hill is one of its original high points. During the British occupation of Boston, from 1775 until the evacuation in March 1776, a garrison of about 1,700 men camped on the Common, and its artillery was entrenched on this hill.
The Civil War monument came later. The idea for a memorial dates to 1866, a year after the war ended, and the city chose Martin Milmore, a Boston sculptor born in Ireland, to create it. Sources differ on when work started, with dates from 1871 to 1874, but they agree on the result. The city paid for the monument, with a reported cost of $75,000, and dedicated it on September 17, 1877. That date was the 15th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, and the ceremony drew large crowds, veterans and Union generals including George McClellan and Joseph Hooker.
The inscription on the base honors the men of Boston who died for their country on land and sea in the war that kept the Union whole. It says the city built the monument so their example would speak to later generations.
The monument has also had hard years. The bronze figures at its base were removed and spent a long time out of public view. A restoration brought them back in 2014, so visitors today see the full group again.
What To See
Start with the shape. A Roman-style victory column of white granite rises from a granite base, and the whole monument reaches about 126 feet. A bronze figure of America crowns it, a woman wearing a crown of thirteen stars who holds a flag in one hand and a sword and laurel wreath in the other.
Lower down, four large bronze figures stand at the corners of the base. They represent Peace, History, a Sailor and a Citizen-Soldier. Higher on the monument, four granite figures stand for the north, south, east and west of the reunited country.
Between the figures, four bronze reliefs wrap around the base and show scenes from the war:
- Soldiers leaving Boston for the front.
- The Sanitary Commission, whose volunteers cared for wounded soldiers.
- A naval scene with Union sailors.
- Soldiers returning home.
Walk all the way around, since each side shows a different scene.
Nearby Attractions
The monument sits at the center of a cluster of Civil War and early American sites, so a short walk covers a lot. These are the nearest ones:
- Robert Gould Shaw Memorial: This bronze relief by Augustus Saint-Gaudens stands on Boston Common facing the State House and honors the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. Read more on our Robert Gould Shaw Memorial page.
- Massachusetts State House: The gold-domed building overlooks the Common. See our page on the Massachusetts State House.
- Granary Burying Ground: A colonial burying ground beside Park Street Church, where many figures from the Revolutionary era are buried. See the Granary Burying Ground page.
- Boston Athenaeum: A membership library with a public gallery at 10½ Beacon Street, on Beacon Hill. Check its current visiting rules before you go. Read about the Boston Athenaeum.
- Museum of African American History: The museum is on Beacon Hill at 46 Joy Street, in the Abiel Smith School, and it fits well after the monument because both tell parts of the Civil War era.
- Boston Public Garden: Right beside the Common, the Boston Public Garden is the natural next stop for a walk.
Looking for museums close to the monument? The Museum of African American History and the Boston Athenaeum are the nearest, and both sit on or beside Beacon Hill. Where does a sightseeing bus fit into that walk?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Civil War Monument in Boston?
It is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a 126-foot granite column on Flagstaff Hill in Boston Common. It honors the men of Boston who died in the Civil War, and it was dedicated in 1877.
Where is the Civil War Monument on Boston Common?
It stands on Flagstaff Hill, near the center of Boston Common, close to the Frog Pond. It is outdoors in a public park, so you do not need a ticket to see it.
Who designed the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Boston?
Martin Milmore, a Boston sculptor, designed the monument. The sources checked name no separate architect.
When was the Civil War Monument in Boston dedicated?
The city dedicated it on September 17, 1877, which was the 15th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. Sources differ on when construction began.
How tall is the Civil War Monument in Boston?
The full monument is about 126 feet tall. The granite column itself is roughly 75 feet, and the bronze figure of America stands on top.
What do the statues and reliefs on the monument show?
America crowns the column, and four bronze figures at the base represent Peace, History, a Sailor and a Citizen-Soldier. Four bronze reliefs show soldiers leaving for war, the Sanitary Commission, a naval scene and soldiers returning.
What museums are near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Boston Common?
The nearest are the Museum of African American History at 46 Joy Street and the Boston Athenaeum, which has a public gallery at 10½ Beacon Street. Both are on Beacon Hill, and the Massachusetts State House is also close. Check each one's current visiting rules before you go.
What other Civil War sites are in Boston?
The Robert Gould Shaw Memorial honors the 54th Massachusetts Regiment and stands on Boston Common facing the State House. The Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill is also close.
Is the Civil War Monument on the Boston Sightseeing route?
Not directly, but Stop 3 (Park Street) and Stop 4 (Boston Common) put you at or beside the Common. Every hop-on hop-off ticket includes both stops, and from either one you walk across the park to Flagstaff Hill.
Plan your Boston tour with Boston sightseeing
Boston Sightseeing runs a narrated hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tour, with daily service from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, about every 40 minutes. Stop 3 (Old Granary Burial Ground and Park Street Church) and Stop 4 (Boston Common) put you at or beside the Common, and Stop 8 serves the Massachusetts State House. Every hop-on hop-off ticket covers all three. The Boston and Charlestown ticket and the 2 Days ticket also reach Stop 10 and the USS Constitution.
Read our complete guide to hop-on hop-off tours in Boston, follow the history theme in our guide to historical attractions in Boston, or visit Boston Sightseeing to compare tickets. Stop lists were last checked in October 2026, so confirm them before you buy.
Our Tour Packages
Single Ride Pass
$33.25
Explore Boston in 90 Minutes
Ride above the crowd and enjoy the panoramic view of Boston
- Boston City Tour Single Ride Pass
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour
- Charlestown Sightseeing Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off All Day
$41.55
Boston City Sightseeing Tour
Experience historic Boston with unlimited hop-on hop-off at your own pace.
- Stop-1 to Stop-8
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Blue Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- 90 Minutes tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Shuttle Bus Service
- Charlestown Tour
Hop-on Hop-off Boston & Charlestown Tour
$48.65
Boston & Charlestown Tour
Experience the charm of Boston & Charlestown with Boston Sightseeing at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$70.40
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Tour
Explore Boston & Charlestown with Boston's first double-decker bus at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 120 Minutes Tour
- 2 Days Validity
Cruise Terminal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$52.00
200 Minutes Hop-on Hop-off
Get onboard from Boston Cruise terminal and explore the historic beantown with Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop 1-8, 12-15
- Blue & Purple Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 200 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Charlestown Tour
Boston & Cambridge City Tour
$63.00
Guided Photo & City Tour
A 3.5-hour guided shuttle tour featuring Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods, Cambridge highlights, waterfront views, and curated photo opportunities.
- Guided Boston & Cambridge sightseeing tour
- Approximately 3.5 hours
- Curated stops and photo opportunities
- Climate-controlled shuttle bus transportation
- Live local tour guide
- 45-minutes Quincy Market lunch break
- Same-day tour experience
- Double-Decker Bus Service
- Hop-on, hop-off service
Attractions To Explore Near This Stop
Top Things to Do in Fort Point Channel, Boston
If you stroll just across the Summer Street bridge from South Station, you will find yourself surrounded by towering brick warehouses.
Hop-On Hop-Off Boston: Same-Day Tickets & Tour Info
A Boston Sightseeing hop-on hop-off ticket works the same day you buy it. There is no waiting period and no requirement to book days in advance.
Best Things To Do In Downtown Boston
Downtown Boston is the historic and cultural heart of one of America's oldest cities, where Revolutionary War landmarks.