The scenic fishing port of Gloucester (Essex County) boasts no fewer than six monuments-the most of any Massachusetts municipality outside of Boston. The patriotic spirit of the various villages in Gloucester, and perhaps a healthy sense of competition between them, led to this proliferation of memorializing.

The city's primary monument is an imposing one, located by City Hall and dedicated on September 11, 1879. Its main inscription reads, Gloucester's City Monument

"In memory of the soldiers and sailors of Gloucester who fought in the war of 1861-1865, for the preservation of the Union. Erected by Post 45, G. A. R., 1879." It features an elaborate plinth surmounted by a handsome bronze statue representing "Liberty" cast by the Ames Manufacturing Company. Rev. J.F. Levering of Watertown gave the oration during the very large dedication exercises.