Information
Landmark: Groton Monument (Fort Griswold Obelisk)City: Groton
Country: USA Connecticut
Continent: North America
Groton Monument (Fort Griswold Obelisk), Groton, USA Connecticut, North America
Overview
The Groton Monument, or Fort Griswold Obelisk, rises over Groton, Connecticut, its stone face catching the wind as it looks out across the Thames River toward New London.It’s a solemn memorial to the defenders who died in the Battle of Groton Heights on September 6, 1781, a day when musket smoke hung thick over one of the bloodiest fights in Connecticut’s history.The monument honors the 1781 battle when British troops, led by Benedict Arnold, stormed Fort Griswold and overpowered its defenders, their red coats flashing in the smoke.Outnumbered many times over, about 160 Connecticut militia held their ground under Colonel William Ledyard, who fell to the enemy moments after he’d laid down his sword.safeWork on the obelisk started in 1826, placing it among the nation’s earliest war memorials, rising stone by stone into the crisp morning air.Choosing an obelisk captured the era’s neoclassical taste and carried a quiet promise of remembrance, like stone standing unweathered through decades of rain.The Groton Monument towers over the landscape, a stark reminder of sacrifice, patriotism, and the steep price of liberty.Architectural Features Design: The monument rises in the Egyptian Revival style, its granite shaft narrowing like a classic obelisk, smooth and cool to the touch.At about 135 feet tall, it towers above the landscape, its outline clear even from miles off.The walls are built from granite cut from a nearby quarry, its rough, gray surface a quiet promise of strength and permanence.Inside, a spiral staircase winds upward, leading visitors to the top, where wide windows frame sweeping views of the Thames River, Groton, and New London shimmering in the distance.Monument Climb: Take the spiral stairs to the top, where the harbor glimmers below, Long Island Sound stretches to the horizon, and the historic landscape unfolds in every direction.Next to the tall granite obelisk, the preserved earthworks of Fort Griswold stretch across the hill, inviting visitors to wander the worn paths and trace the shape of the fort’s original defenses.Memorial plaques circle the monument, their worn brass inscriptions honoring the fallen and telling the story of the battle and what followed.The Visitor Center and Museum sit just steps away, with exhibits on the battle, the monument’s construction, and Revolutionary War history in southeastern Connecticut, including a worn soldier’s drum you can almost hear.The Groton Monument stands as both a proud patriotic landmark and a living classroom, with annual ceremonies-flags snapping in the wind-held to honor the defenders of Fort Griswold.School groups and history buffs come to explore Revolutionary War tactics, hear the story of Benedict Arnold’s betrayal, and picture the grit of local militia standing guard in the cold.The site sits within Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, carefully maintained so visitors can keep walking its old stone paths and learning its history.You can visit Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton, Connecticut, most seasons, though the hours to climb the monument change and might be posted on site.Admission’s usually free, with a small charge if you want to scale the stone tower.You’ll find parking, a visitor center, museum exhibits, restrooms, and even picnic spots shaded by old trees.The Groton Monument rises above the fort, its granite face catching the sun, a steadfast reminder of Connecticut’s part in the Revolution and the lives lost defending liberty on Groton’s heights.
