The Joint Veteran’s Council of Genesee County held a rededication ceremony at the Upton Monument at Rt. 5 and 63 on Saturday morning, marking 100 years since the historical cornerstone of Genesee County was constructed.
“It represents the heart of our county,” says Jim Neider, American Legion Post 332.
“Its important so no future residents will forget the sacrifices that were made.”
The monument pays tribute to the Union Army’s Emory Upton and was constructed to commemorate the end of the civil war. It was dedicated on August 6, 1919.
It was originally called the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, but was renamed after Genesee County’s most famous Civil War Veteran, Army Brevit Major General Upton, colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Artillery.
Later, the monument was expanded and also recognized WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans.
According to local historians, the Architect who designed the monument, C.A. Worden, was a local company that was responsible for many monuments in Gettysburg.
After it was built, there was controversy as to whether the statue of Upton was an actual likeness of Upton himself.
Link to more information on Upton below