Private George Washington Fair was the model for the statue on top
of the Soldier’s Monument. Originally erected in the middle of the
intersection of Monument (Water) Street and Main Street in 1884
(see photo below or at:
http://home.dayton.lib.oh.us/archives/lutzcollect/Photo0199.html),
it was moved to Sunrise Park in 1948. It was refurbished and moved
to its present location in 1992, south of the original location.
Available 24/7, and you only need to pay the parking meters from
8AM to 6PM Monday through Friday.
Caption for photo below:
The Soldiers Monument at Main Street Bridge.
Note: Excavation for the foundation of the Soldiers Monument at
Main Street bridge began on September 19, 1883 and ended on
November 22, 1883. Granite for the monument was quarried at
Hollowell, Maine. The first carloads arrived on April 19, 1884. The
statue of the Union soldier was cut out of white marble in Carrars,
Italy. It arrived in Dayton in June 1884. George W. Fair of Dayton
was the model for the statue. On Wednesday, July 30, a G. A. R.
parade was held. It was estimated that 10,000 persons were on the
streets of Dayton that day. The monument was unveiled the next day,
Thursday July 31st. It was 85 feet high with the statue accounting
for 11 l/2 feet. This photograph, which was taken in 1889, also
shows the old iron bridge and the Hose Company.
