Washington County Veterans' Plaza

In 1925, several members of the Washington County Board of Supervisors began the planning phase of a county soldiers' memorial to be placed on the grounds of the Washington County Courthouse Square on 5th Avenue. The intent of the memorial was to memorialize the end of war, not the war itself and,

"A Washington County Memorial Monument will not only be a tribute to the soldiers of Washington county who gave their lives

in war, but to our disabled comrades and to the surviving soldiers, sailors and marines. It will also be a continual reminder of

the splendid patriotism of all the citizens of Washington County," (West Bend Pilot, 1925).

In January of 1927, the County Board awarded a contract to L.P. Gehl & Sons, Inc. of Hartford, WI, for their design of the monument at a cost of $4,000. The design included bronze plates with names of all veterans of the Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I on its base. Along with County Board members, members from county Legion posts were assigned to manage the project. 

It is estimated around 12,000 people attended the dedication of the first memorial on Memorial Day in 1927. The parade which accompanied the celebration was a mile long, and was the largest West Bend had ever seen with between 3,000 and 4,000 participants.

Since it's dedication, a Memorial Day celebration has been held on the Veterans' Plaza, as well as smaller Veterans' Day and special and private memorials and dedications each year.

Uncredited. "Move for a Memorial." West Bend Pilot (West Bend) November 12th 1925.

Uncredited. "County Board Meets." West Bend Pilot (West Bend, WI) January 27th 1927.

Uncredited. "Memorial Dedication a Big Success." West Bend Pilot (West Bend, WI) November 17th 1927.

Uncredited. "Soldiers' Memorial Dedicated Sunday." Kewaskum Statesman (Kewaskum, WI) November 19th 1927.