Guess where the first U.S.World War I memorial is located?
Washington, D. C.? Nope. The Centennial Commission is now accepting donation to have it constructed.
The first memorial the United States is in Maryhill, Washington, overlooking the mighty Columbia River, majestic on a tall cliff by the Maryhill Museum. Both were constructed by Sam Hill, railroad tycoon. At the time he and most of the world thought the original Stonehedge was a site for human sacrifice. He reasoned that his Maryhill Stonehedge was a reminder that the world sacrifices mankind to the god of war. Hill was a Quaker and not afraid of making a conscientious objection statement.
Local stone proved unsuitable so the memorial was constructed of concrete, with crush tin cans pushed into the service to create the rugged texture
It was dedicated in 1918 to the servicemen of Klickitat County. On July 4, 1918 the altar stone was dedicated with a plaque that reads:
To the memory of the soldiers and sailors of Klickitat County who gave their lives in defense of their country. This monument is erected in hope that others inspired by the example of their valor and their heroism may share in that love of liberty and burn with that fire of patriotism which death alone can quench.
Hill also built Maryhill, a mansion for his wife. Before it was even finished he decided that it would be a wonderful museum. With the patronage of the Queen Marie of Romania and future patrons, the collections include 80 works of Rodin, Native American art, 300 chess sets, and Greek Orthodox icons. You can spend hours there and enjoy a picnic on a titch of the 5300 acres grounds.
Sam Hill's ashes are in a crypt below the memorial. His epitaph: “Samuel Hill: Amid nature’s great unrest, he sought rest.”
The memorial and museum are a fancinating addition to the windswept Columbia River Gorge and well worth a visit. From Portland Oregon you drive east on I-84, Turn off at the Hwy 97 junction which has small eateries and gas stations. Travel north on the 97 bridge and follow the signs. Admission is free to the memorial, but donations for maintenance are appreciated. There is a fee for the Maryhill Museum of Art to see its world-famous art and collections.
Washington, D. C.? Nope. The Centennial Commission is now accepting donation to have it constructed.
The first memorial the United States is in Maryhill, Washington, overlooking the mighty Columbia River, majestic on a tall cliff by the Maryhill Museum. Both were constructed by Sam Hill, railroad tycoon. At the time he and most of the world thought the original Stonehedge was a site for human sacrifice. He reasoned that his Maryhill Stonehedge was a reminder that the world sacrifices mankind to the god of war. Hill was a Quaker and not afraid of making a conscientious objection statement.
Local stone proved unsuitable so the memorial was constructed of concrete, with crush tin cans pushed into the service to create the rugged texture
It was dedicated in 1918 to the servicemen of Klickitat County. On July 4, 1918 the altar stone was dedicated with a plaque that reads:
To the memory of the soldiers and sailors of Klickitat County who gave their lives in defense of their country. This monument is erected in hope that others inspired by the example of their valor and their heroism may share in that love of liberty and burn with that fire of patriotism which death alone can quench.
Hill also built Maryhill, a mansion for his wife. Before it was even finished he decided that it would be a wonderful museum. With the patronage of the Queen Marie of Romania and future patrons, the collections include 80 works of Rodin, Native American art, 300 chess sets, and Greek Orthodox icons. You can spend hours there and enjoy a picnic on a titch of the 5300 acres grounds.
Sam Hill's ashes are in a crypt below the memorial. His epitaph: “Samuel Hill: Amid nature’s great unrest, he sought rest.”
The memorial and museum are a fancinating addition to the windswept Columbia River Gorge and well worth a visit. From Portland Oregon you drive east on I-84, Turn off at the Hwy 97 junction which has small eateries and gas stations. Travel north on the 97 bridge and follow the signs. Admission is free to the memorial, but donations for maintenance are appreciated. There is a fee for the Maryhill Museum of Art to see its world-famous art and collections.
 Interior of Stonehedge Memorial |  Maryhill Museum of Art |
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