Dewey Monument

The granite column standing before you is the Dewey Monument, a tribute to Admiral George Dewey and his naval victory at the Battle of Manila Bay. It has anchored the center of Union Square since its dedication in 1903. The structure reaches nearly one hundred feet into the air, topped by a nine foot bronze statue representing the Greek goddess Nike. She grips a trident in one hand to symbolize naval power and a laurel wreath in the other to honor President William McKinley, who was assassinated shortly after he broke ground for the monument in 1901.